LAHORE: A British-Pakistani activist was briefly abducted late Tuesday by unknown men in Lahore, her family said, prompting fears she had been forcibly disappeared.

Gul Bukhari, 52, was detained for several hours by unknown men.

Bukhari was on her way to a television news station in Lahore where she was due to appear as an analyst on a late night show when she was stopped, her husband Ali Nadir told AFP.

“She left around 10:40 pm for Waqt News but was apparently picked up on the way. It seems to be plainclothes people but we don’t have any more info,” he said in a WhatsApp message.

He later confirmed that she had been freed, but could not immediately provide further details.

Bukhari released a statement hours after being released, thanking friends and colleagues for their support during the ordeal. “I would like to express my deep gratitude and love to my friends, family, colleagues & supporters in civil society, journalism and politics across the board, for coming together in solidarity in concern for my well being last night,” read the statement. “I am well, and would request privacy at this stage.

The British High Commission in Islamabad said Wednesday that it was aware of the reported incident and “reaching out with consular assistance”.

“We are very concerned at reports of Gul Bukhari’s abduction last night,” the High Commission said in a statement posted on Twitter.

News of her abduction caused a furore on social media.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif, daughter of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, said it was “extremely disturbing” and the “worst kind of oppression”.-AFP

Meanwhile, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has expressed its grave concern over the harassment and violent attack on senior journalist Asad Kharal in Lahore and abduction of Waqt TV anchorperson Gul Bukhari.

PFUJ president Afzal Butt, Secretary General Ayub Jan Sarhandi in a joint statement demanded the government constitute a judicial commission to inquire into these incidents.

The PFUJ leaders call upon all human rights organization to take notice of these targeted attacks by the unknown person and to raise their voice.

They request Supreme Court to take suo motu action against unknown actors who are trying to suppress freedom of expression provided under the constitution.—PR