Twitter
Advertisement

Attempted abduction of journalist: 'Monitoring developments in Pakistan,' says US State Department

Taha has been critical of Pakistan's powerful military in the past.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

The US State Department has said that it would "continue to monitor developments" after Wion's Pakistan bureau chief Taha Siddiqui escaped an abduction bid in Islamabad.

Taha Siddiqui, who reports for France 24 and is the Pakistan bureau chief of Indian television channel WION, said the attempted abduction took place while he was being driven by taxi to the airport serving the capital Islamabad and the neighbouring, larger garrison city of Rawalpindi.

"We are always very concerned over any reports of violence against journalists, in Pakistan and around the world. We will continue to monitor developments," the US State Department said in a statement.

"The United States values freedom of expression as a key component of democratic governance. An active civil society and tolerance of dissenting views are vital components of any democracy," the statement added.

Pakistan government has also sought report into the matter from the interior ministry.

 

Taha Siddiqui was on his way to Islamabad airport on Wednesday morning when his cab was overtaken and blocked by another vehicle. At least 10-12 men came out of the car armed with Kalashnikov guns, the men hit Taha, threatened to kill him, and threw him back into the cab. 

Taha quickly got out of the other side of the cab and managed to reach the police and filed a case. Taha later told WION that the men spoke fluent English adding that the men who attacked him wanted to abduct him.

Taha has been critical of Pakistan's powerful military in the past. Last year, the Committee to Protect Journalists had said Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency should stop harassing Taha Siddiqui after a civilian agency began to crack down on online criticism of the country's military.

(With inputs from WION News)

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement