Pakistan: Popular YouTuber Anum Sheikh Arrested and Detained For 3 Days – Authorities Must Put An End To Arbitrarily Detaining Journalists
Location: Pakistan, Rawalpindi
Date: May 22, 2023
Police arrest and detain Anum Sheikh for three days before a court nullified her detention order. The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands authorities stop abusing powers by arbitrarily arresting critical journalists.
On May 19, popular YourTuber Anum Sheikh was arrested at her home by police. They accused her of membership in a political organization and disruption of public order.
The charge allowed authorities to detain Sheikh for 15 days. She was transferred to Adiala Jail after her arrest.
On May 22, the High Court in Lahore nullified the detention order. Sheikh, alongside several other journalists arrested in a police sweep, was immediately released.
When I told her not to resist if they arrest me again, she held my hand a little more tightly with tears in her eyes and crossed them all taking me away.
— Anum Sheikh (@iAnumSheikh) May 25, 2023
When saw me first time my sisters hugged me and said
"WE ARE PROUD OF YOU BAJI"@drmaria92 @MariamEllahis pic.twitter.com/xbFReRuJuv
Annum Sheikh is a blogger and Youtuber with a significant following. She reported on the demonstrations against former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s arrest on Twitter.
Since May 16, numerous journalists who documented the protests have been arrested. According to reports, police used geo-tracking methods to trace and arrest journalists via their phone location.
Several were arrested under Pakistan’s Maintenance of Public Order Section 3 – including Anum Sheikh. The ordinance allows the preventative detention of a person if they suspect they intend to disrupt public order or endanger public safety.
Legal experts say the ordinance is not “human rights-friendly” and is repeatedly used to snub political movements and “public dissent toward ruling elites.”
Tension in Pakistan Following Khan’s Arrest
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan — ousted in a no-confidence vote last year — was arrested by authorities on May 9.
His arrest sparked protests and riots across Pakistan. Protestors destroyed public property and set fire to a radio station in Peshawar.
Demonstrations subsided when Khan was released on a Supreme Court order.
Targeting of Critical Journalists
Two prominent Pakistani television journalists, known to be supporters of Khan, are currently missing.
On May 24, family and colleagues of Sami Abrahim claimed an unknown man abducted the presenter after his car was intercepted as he traveled home from work.
Khan TV journalist Imran Riaz has been missing for two weeks. Police have denied detaining him.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism welcomes the release of Anum Sheikh but fears oppression of media critical of the government will continue to escalate. Authorities must immediately reveal any information about the missing journalists and cease detaining media workers.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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