Journalist Imran Riaz arrested, barred from travelling for Hajj again

Journalist Imran Riaz Khan was arrested early Wednesday at the Islamabad International Airport and he was barred from travelling for the sacred pilgrimage of Hajj again.

This is the second time Imran Riaz Khan has been prevented from leaving for Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. His close associates confirmed on microblogging platform X that he was detained by the authorities.

Videos circulating on social media showed the journalist's car surrounded by masked men. The journalist, wearing an ihram, was seen sitting inside the car. His colleagues can be heard arguing with the men and demanding identification.

x.com

حج روانگی کے دوران عمران ریاض خان کی ائیر پورٹ سے گرفتاری کے مناظر اس کے بعد تشدد، مار پیٹ اور موبائل چھیننے کا اغاز ہوگیا اور اسی دوران میں عمران ریاض خان کو تشدد کرتے ہوے گرفتار کرلیا گیا #imranriazkhan#ImranRiazKhanArrest pic.twitter.com/T8NwoahhPD

— Ali Hamza (@AliHamzaNeo) June 11, 2024

The Islamabad High Court granted permission to the anchorperson to travel abroad on May 29 after hearing that his name had been placed on the Exit Control List (ECL) upon recommendation by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

Before leaving for the airport, Imran Riaz recorded a video expressing his frustration about being unable to perform Hajj. 

He explained that he has been attempting to travel for pilgrimage since 2022, but faced arrest that year.

The journalist was also detained in 2023. Now, on the last Hajj flight of the year, he was informed that police and rangers were waiting for him at the airport.

He maintained that he had previously assured the court he would appear at the hearing next month.

x.com

عدالت کی اجازت سے حج پر جانے والے کو روکنا دراصل اپنی طاقت کا نہیں کمزوری کا اعتراف ہے نیتوں کا حال صرف اللّٰہ جانتا ہے احرام میں ملبوس مسلمان کو گرفتار کرنے والے یہ بھول گئے کہ دنیا فانی ہے سب نے اپنے اللّٰہ کے پاس جانا ہے اور وہاں سب کا حساب ہو گا https://t.co/9bD5JEjAXq

— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) June 12, 2024

Imran Riaz is facing several charges related to the May 9 riots, including vandalism of civil and military installations.

The 47-year-old journalist was arrested at Sialkot Airport in May 2023 while on his way to Oman. After five months in detention, he was released in September.