Pakistani journalist Faizullah handed over to PAK authorities at Torkham

Peshawar, Pakistani journalist handed over at Pak-Afghan border Torkham here on Monday. He was warmly received by authorities and journalists fraternity at the border.
After spending five months and four days in prison in Afghanistan, Pakistani Journalist Faizullah was handed over to Pakistani officials at Torkham border by Afghan border authorities. Political Agent of Khyber Agency, Shahab Ali Shah received Faizaullah Khan, reporter of ARY News Karachi here on Monday. Faizullah Khan was given a warm reception and hospitality by authorities of Khyber Agency and Landi Kotal based Journalists.

Waiting at Torkham border the wife of Faizaullah Khan with her little son, Landi Kotal based journalists with the president of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Rana Azeem, General secretary of Karachi press club Amir Habib , President of Peshawar Press Club Nasir Hussain and Landi Kotal based journalists warmly welcomed Pakistani journalist and received him. A colorful ceremony was organized by the political administration of Torkham border where journalists of Landi Kotal distributed sweets among the people.

Addressing a press conference with the official of Pakistani consulate, Political Agent (PA) of Khyber Agency, Shahab Ali Shah said that KPK governor had issued him special instructions to receive the journalist with high protocol. Shahab Ali Shah said that Faizallah was released after the struggle and communication of Pakistan foreign office and Pakistani consulate at Jalal Abad with the Government of Afghanistan. Pakistani Consulate official at Jalal Abad, Shah Hussain was also present on the occasion.

Shah Hussain said that Pakistan foreign office officials and Pakistani Consulate officials were in close contact with the government of Afghanistan in this regard to safely release the journalist.

Faizullah Khan also spoke and said that Pakistani Government played a vital role in his release. He also thanked the journalist community who raised a strong voice for his release. Faizullah Khan thanked the Afghan government especially the outgoing Afghan President Hamid Karazj for his sincerity to set him free to strengthen relations between the two brotherly nations.

Talking to media men, Zia ul Haq, the bureau chief of ARY news Peshawar said and thanked the President of Pakistan, Prime Minister of Pakistan for their full support which led to the release of their colleague. Zia ul Haq also thanked Political Agent Khyber,Shahab Ali Shah for receiving the journalist with high protocol and giving him respect. Zia Ul Haq cherished Malala Yousafzai who made a call to the former President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai who later issued the release order of Pakistani Journalist. It is to mention here that Pakistani journalist and reporter of ARY news Karachi had been held by Afghan police personnel when he mistakenly crossed the border and entered into Afghanistan’s territory and later sentenced him four years prison who was released after five months and four days. Pakistan based Journalist associations held country wide demonstrations for the safe release of Faizullah Khan. Mrs. Faizullah with her little cute son was also there at Torkham border to receive her husband at Torkham after five months and four days with tears of happiness in her eyes.