A local journalist, Shah Zaman Mehsud, was abducted from his home in Tank (KPK) on Monday night, family of the journalist alleged.
Zaman's brothers, Shah Farman and Ismail, informed South Punjab News that five unknown armed men raided their residence and took Zaman away forcefully.
They claimed that it is not the first time that Zaman was abducted as he had recently returned home after remaining in captivity for around a month and a half.
A first information report (FIR) of the incident has not been registered so far, the family said.Shah Zaman Mehsud, a journalist from the tribal region of South Waziristan, was picked up from his home in Tank city late on Sunday night.
Shah Zaman’s brother Ismael confirmed Zaman’s abduction but said nothing regarding the identity of the persons who raided their house. Ismael said that at around 1 pm five persons in plain clothes forced their way into the house and took his brother into custody.
Other journalists in Tank, however, said that Shah Zaman was arrested by personnel of security agencies. Before arresting Shah Zaman from his home, the security personnel raided the Mehsud Press Club, a club opened by journalists from Mehsud dominated areas of South Waziristan in Tank.
There are also reports about the presence of two other unknown persons along with Shah Zaman Mehsud but both of them escaped.
Belonging to South Waziristan, Shah Zaman Mehsud along with other family members was residing in Tank city. He is associated with a Karachi based Urdu newspaper as correspondent.
He was arrested a couple of months ago by security forces but was released after a few days.
The family members are likely to approach a jirga for discussing means to recover Shah Zaman.
Incidents of enforced disappearances of journalists have been reported with alarming frequency in Pakistan.
In November, the 2017 World Press Freedom Index, placed Pakistan among the most dangerous countries for journalists. Pakistan was ranked 139th out of 180 countries.
