The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan on Saturday expressed alarm over the harassment of two journalists in Karachi, one of whom was allegedly forcibly disappeared.
In a message, the commission stated that Karachi-based journalists Anis Mansoori and Ali Sarwar were being targeted.
It added that Sarwar had allegedly been forcibly disappeared on November 24 while unidentified people broke into the home of Mansoori and threatened his elderly mother.
HRCP urged the caretaker government of Sindh to take immediate notice of these incidents and launch a probe to ascertain the perpetrators and bring them to book.
"HRCP reminds the state that the credibility of the upcoming elections is at stake so long as the media continues to face such intimidation," it stated.
HRCP is greatly alarmed to learn that two Karachi-based journalists, Anees Mansoori and Ali Sarwar of HNow TV, have been targeted allegedly by government agencies for their reportage. Mr Sarwar was reportedly forcibly disappeared on 24 November while unidentified persons broke…
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) November 25, 2023
Mansoori and Sarwar were targeted after they reported on the recent defections from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) as the election race heats up.
Mansoori, in a series of posts on his social media, where he conducts his journalism these days, had interviewed various politicians from different parties, including senior PPP leaders.
His last post on the social media platform Twitter was about Sarwar being taken away from his home by unidentified individuals.
Before that, he posted images with Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and Sarwar.