Syed Muhammad Askari, a reporter working for the Daily Jang in Karachi, was abducted on Sunday.

Reports said that Askari was picked up from near Qayyumabad interchange by unknown armed men in plain clothes. Some of the abductors were in uniform as well.

Askari was allegedly taken out from his vehicle, roughened up and pushed into another vehicle. Reports said Askari introduced himself as a journalist but it had no effect on the men arresting him.

When Askari’s friends complained at the police helpline at 15, they were told to approach their nearest police station. However, officials from the Zaman Town police station also denied any knowledge of the incident.

Askari was a senior reporter with the Daily Jang and covered the education beat. His twitter bio says he has more than ‘50 thousand’ stories to his credit.

Education Journalist Association President Qasim Khan as well as Karachi Press Club and Karachi Union of Journalists have condemned the abduction and called for Askari’s immediate release.