Mon Jan 27 10:25:53 UTC 2025: ## Pakistani Journalist Arrested on Terrorism Charges for Facebook Post
**Lahore, Pakistan –** A senior Pakistani journalist, Razish Liaqatpuri, has been arrested and charged with terrorism for a Facebook post deemed to condone the murder of Punjabi police officers. Liaqatpuri, a former editorial in-charge of the daily Khabrian and author of several books, was taken into custody on January 25th, 2025, but his family was not informed until the following day. He has also been charged under Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
Police allege Liaqatpuri’s post not only justified the killings but also advocated for the creation of a new province, Seraikistan, independent from the Punjabi administration. His arrest has sparked outrage among fellow journalists and activists who claim he was targeted for his advocacy for the Seraiki language and the rights of the people of south Punjab.
Liaqatpuri’s family and supporters allege that police held him illegally for three days before officially registering the charges. They believe he is being persecuted for raising concerns about the alleged exploitation of south Punjab’s resources by the central Punjabi elite, a sentiment shared by many activists in the region who see Seraikistan as a solution to their grievances. The incident highlights growing concerns about press freedom and the use of terrorism charges against journalists in Pakistan.
First Piper 