The Asian Post
LONDON: The UK has expressed deep concern after a British Pakistani journalist was abducted by unnamed men in the latest seizure of a media critic of the military establishment.
While the hours-long abduction of columnist Gul Bukhari sparked concerns within the country, it also concerned British officials who called for her safe recovery.
Bukhari was on her way to appear in a Pakistani TV show when unidentified persons intercepted her vehicle near Sherpao Bridge in Cantonment area. She was subsequently shifted to an undisclosed location and reportedly kept there for hours before being released.
“Deeply concerned by reports of the abduction of British-Pakistani journalist Gul Bukhari in Lahore, Pakistan, last night. Relieved that she has now been released,” British minister Mark Field wrote in a twitter post on Wednesday.
“The UK strongly supports freedom of expression which is a cornerstone of democracy,” he added.
Deeply concerned by reports of the abduction of British-Pakistani journalist Gul Bukhari in Lahore, Pakistan, last night. Relieved that she has now been released. The UK strongly supports freedom of expression which is a cornerstone of democracy
— Mark Field MP (@MarkFieldUK) 6 June 2018
Earlier during the day, British High Commission in Islamabad also expressed concerns on the columnist’s abduction and said it was reaching out with consular assistance.
We are very concerned at reports of Gul Bukhari’s abduction last night. As a dual Pakistani-British national, the British High Commission is reaching out with consular assistance.
— UKinPakistan🇬🇧🇵🇰 (@ukinpakistan) 6 June 2018
