Journalist detained after protests in Pakistan released on bail

A Pakistani court on Saturday ruled to release on bail journalist Matiullah Jan, who was detained this week after investigating claims of casualties during a protest march

This was reported by his lawyer Iman Mazari, writes Reuters.

Mazari said the journalist was expected to return home this evening. Matiullah Jan, known for his critical remarks about the military's influence in Pakistani politics, was arrested on terrorism and drug possession charges. The case was heard in an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad.

Jan was detained on the street on Wednesday night during an investigation into claims of victims of a protest organized in support of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan. According to the journalist's colleague and lawyer, Jan was investigating amid conflicting government claims about the use of force against protesters.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed deep concern about Jan's abduction and called for his immediate release.

Before his arrest, Jan had appeared on television questioning government claims that no weapons were used in the crackdown and that there were no casualties among the protesters.

Protests organized by supporters of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have gripped Islamabad this week. The government says four security forces were killed in the protests. Meanwhile, PTI claims hundreds of protesters were injured and between 8 and 40 were killed.

The Pakistani government has repeatedly denied using deadly force against protesters. The police and the Ministry of Information have not commented on Jan's detention.