Pakistan's Missing Voices: Social Media Activists Targeted

Intelligence agencies in Pakistan are allegedly abducting social media activists and vloggers critical of the government and military. Families have reported several activists and a vlogger as missing, urging courts to intervene. Amnesty International has called for a transparent investigation into these enforced disappearances.

Intelligence agencies in Pakistan have allegedly been abducting social media activists and vloggers critical of the government and powerful military establishment, according to their families. They have approached courts in Punjab province seeking justice.

Among those reported missing are Naeem Ahmad Yasin and Arsalan Akbar, activists of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, and vlogger-comedian Aun Khosa. Khosa's abduction, in particular, has drawn widespread criticism on social media. He had recently released a parody song criticizing high electricity bills and the economic state of the country.

The families have filed petitions in the Lahore High Court, resulting in orders for the Punjab police to recover the missing individuals by specified dates this month. Amnesty International has called for an independent investigation into these disappearances, highlighting a concerning pattern of enforced disappearances aimed at silencing dissent.