ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of IHC Athar Minallah on the application of Matiullah Jan’s younger brother issued notices to Secretary Interior, Chief Commissioner Islamabad and Inspector General (IG) police and directed them to appear before the court in person today (Wednesday), if they failed to trace the whereabouts of the missing journalist.

Terming the development as “unacceptable”, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar said he had spoken with the Islamabad police chief and instructed him to take “immediate action for retrieval, and registration of FIR”.

Vice-Chairman Pakistan Bar Council Abid Saqi in a statement condemned the shocking and painful abduction of Matiullah Jan.

“The abduction of Matiullah Jan is blatant attack on the right and freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Constitution, just to suppress neutral and independent voices for the Rule of Law, fair play, the Constitutionalism and democracy,” he said.

Abid Hassan Minto, Senior Advocate Supreme Court and senior leader of Awami Workers Party, said it is important for lawyers in particular but also all of civil society to stand up against these excesses being committed against free speech and other freedoms, which are quickly shaping a society of fear and repression comparable to actual martial laws.—TERENCE J SIGAMONY