Metro53 - The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) Press Freedom and Monitoring Committee has expressed deep concern over the worsening state of press freedom in the country and strongly condemned the unpleasant incident involving Jahan Pakistan Editor Farrukh Shahbaz Warraich, who was stopped by FIA officials at Lahore Airport upon his arrival.
The committee also condemned the threats received by senior Karachi-based journalist Imdad Soomro and the prolonged internet shutdown in Balochistan.
In a detailed statement shared on Facebook, Warraich said he was returning from Canada when FIA officials escorted him for questioning soon after he landed. According to him, the officials informed him that his name appeared on the stop list, though they were unaware of the reasons behind its inclusion.
“One of the officers told me, ‘I watch your shows… you don’t look like a traitor,’” Warraich wrote, adding that the officials repeatedly asked when he had left Pakistan and why he chose to return. “I told them Pakistan is everything for me; this country gave me my identity.”
The anchorperson said he was asked to wait while the officials sought guidance from senior authorities. “They said, ‘We are asking from upstairs.’ When I questioned why my name was added to the list, they said, ‘Sir, we don’t know. They send us the names.’”
Warraich added that the FIA staff treated him respectfully, even offering him tea, and expressed their own frustrations regarding service structure and promotion issues. He claimed officials told him that individuals placed on such lists usually have a reference attached indicating which department should take custody, but his name had no such instruction.
After some time, Warraich said he was allowed to leave, though officials advised him to have his name removed from the list to avoid problems during future travel. “One officer said, ‘Sir, meet the concerned people and get your issue resolved, otherwise you won’t be able to travel abroad again.’”
Before he exited the office, Warraich said an FIA officer requested a selfie with him. “As I was leaving, someone called out, ‘Sir, wait!’ I thought there might be another issue, but the officer said he wanted a picture as a memory.”
Warraich said the incident left him questioning why such uncertainty existed in the country. “I have never had an FIR against me. I am trying to find out why this happened. Alhamdulillah, I am safe and grateful for everyone’s support.”
The FIA has not yet issued an official statement regarding the matter.
