Journalist Ahmad Noorani’s Mother Files Petition to Recover Missing Sons

The recent instance of two brothers of investigative journalist Ahmad Noorani being “forcibly disappeared” from his residence in Islamabad brings about the brutal realities of Pakistan for people who dare to target powerful institutions. Noorani, famous for his fearless investigations into corruption in the military and politics via the news portal FactFocus, has once again been targeted by reprisal.

According to a petition filed by his mother in the Islamabad High Court, over two dozen unknown individuals stormed their homes in the dead of night. The raiders allegedly broke into the house, confiscated phones, seized identification documents and disconnected Noorani’s communication with his family. The siblings, Saifur Rehman Haider and Muhammad Ali were dragged away despite having no involvement in Noorani’s investigative work.

A Pattern of Retaliation

The timing of the raid points directly to Noorani’s latest report, which exposed sensitive information about a serving high-ranking military official. Amnesty International has strongly condemned the incident as a sign of “relentless repression of dissent,” stressing the need for Pakistan to respect freedom of expression and bring those responsible to justice.

The Noorani case is not an isolated act of intimidation but seems to be part of a larger effort to muzzle voices critical of influential institutions. Over the past few years, FactFocus has exposed corruption by high-profile individuals, including former army chiefs and politicians. Despite its focus on data journalism, the platform and journalists still face harassment and legal troubles.

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The Broader Implications

This incident reflects a broader pattern of intimidation aimed at journalists, activists and even their families. As Amnesty International rightly points out, targeting family members to punish a journalist’s work is a brazen attack on free speech. Senior journalist Matiullah Jan has also called for immediate action, emphasising that if Noorani’s brothers are accused of any crime, they should be charged through legal means and not abducted in the darkness of night.

The Battle for Justice

The real issue now is whether or not the legal system in Pakistan will step up and ensure that the rights of its people, particularly those brave enough to speak the truth, are guarded. The world is watching as the Islamabad High Court hears a case that could be used to set a precedent — for justice, or for the further persecution of those who will not be silenced.

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