Pakistani journalist reappears after brief disappearance

KABUL (Pajhwok): Pakistani journalist Anas Mallick on Friday said “he is back” after going missing in Kabul for nearly 12 hours.

“I am back,” Anas — who works for the international news organisation WION — said in a brief statement on Twitter shortly after Pakistan Ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmad Khan confirmed that the journalist was safe and sound.

“Regarding reports about Pakistani journalist Anas Mallick, I have just talked to him on phone briefly. He is in Kabul and safe. Embassy will remain in touch with him,“ the envoy said on Twitter.

The journalist was in Afghanistan to cover the first anniversary of the Taliban takeover. The journalist reached Kabul on August 3.

Mallick went missing on Thursday after filing a story about the ‘safe-house’ where Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed in a drone strike.

Anas’ brother Hassan Mallick wrote on his Twitter page this morning that his elder brother, who is a journalist, has been missing in Kabul for the past 12 hours. He asked the authorities to follow up on the matter and ensure his safety.

Nazarul Islam, a correspondent of Voice of America in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, admitted to Pajhwok that Anas Mallick had gone missing in Kabul.

He added that the Pakistani embassy in Kabul was also aware of the issue and had shared it with the Afghan authorities.

He said Anas Mallick is a resident of Karachi and has been working as a journalist with Indian TV Wion for a long time and covers issues related to Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Mallick traveled to Kabul 20 days before the collapse of the previous government and was in Qatar during the Doha Agreement and after that he spent 100 days in Kabul, informing his organization of latest developments.

Mallick arrived in Kabul two days ago to share information with his media outlet after the death of al-Zawahiri.

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday night announced that Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed in a drone attack in ​​Kabul city.

The Taliban on Thursday said they had no information about al-Zawahiri’s arrival and stay in Kabul, adding intelligence agencies had been directed to thoroughly investigate the US claim.

An Indian journalist, who is a close friend of Anas, confirmed his Kabul visit to Pajhwok.

Anas wrote on his Twitter account on Wednesday that he was going to Kabul to cover the first anniversary of the Taliban coming to power.

Pajhwok shared the matter with security agencies in Kabul, but they gave no details till 9:30 am.

However, Bilal Karimi, Deputy Spokesman of the Government, told Pajhwok Afghan News he would inquire about the matter.

Sohail Shaheen, a member of Taliban’s Qatar office, also said: “I have contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to cooperate in this regard; It would have been better had he (Anas) coordinated with my office before going to Kabul.”

Pakistan Foreign Office said in a statement on twitter: “We at the Foreign Office are deeply concerned about the disappearance of Anas Mallick,, from Kabul yesterday.”

It added that the government is in touch with local authorities and the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul for his early and safe return to Pakistan.

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