QUETTA: Senior journalist and HUM News correspondent Hayat Khan Khetran has been taken into custody by security forces in Barkhan district of Balochistan and transferred to an unknown location.
According to the family of Hayat Khan, security officials summoned him along with senior members of the Barkhan Youth Alliance, Asif Jan and Hayat Shah to their office in Kohlu for questioning related to the reporting of the tragic incident in Musakhail.
The three were later detained and shifted to an unknown location. Since then, there has been no contact with Hayat Khan, the family said.
The family believed that Hayat Khan was detained due to a social media post, but this has not been confirmed.
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HUM News has contacted the Balochistan government and security authorities for the safe return of journalist Hayat Khan.
The family of Hayat Khan Khetran also requested the government, higher authorities, and the journalist community to assist in his safe recovery. They have warned that if the government remains silent on this matter, they will strongly protest.
According to Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind, efforts were being made for the safe return of Hayat Khan.
Meanwhile, the District Bar Association of Barkhan has issued a condemnatory statement demanding the immediate release of senior journalist Hayat Khan and Youth Union member Asif Khetran, and Hayat Shah Khetran. They stated that their arrest is a violation of human rights and the law, and if they are guilty, they should be presented in court.
“We strongly appeal to all institutions to bring them to light immediately,” the lawyers said adding that they boycotted all court proceedings and refrained from appearing in courts. “Our voice will be loud for the protection of humanity, law, and justice,” the statement concluded.