Punjab police grabbed senior journalist Razish Liaqatpuri on January 25, 2025 under terrorism law after he shared a Facebook post deemed provocative. Razish who led the editorial department at Khabrian wrote various books made claims about legal Punjabi officer murders and advocated Seraikistan establishment to free the region from Punjabi administrative governance.
Razish Liaqatpuri originally from Rahim Yar Khan 400 km away from Lahore faces charges under Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). Razish’s family along with journalist colleagues made accusations that security forces captured him during a clandestine raid and detained him unlawfully until his case obtained formal registration on Sunday January 26.
Journalists along with southern Punjab political activists strongly criticize Razish’s arrest because they believe it represents central interference targeting Seraiki language supporters who promote regional autonomy rights. Activists maintain the region of southern Punjab faces underdevelopment because its natural resources are exploited by political powers in central Punjab. The activists support the Seraikistan creation to address both economic and social economic inequities.
Razish’s arrest demonstrates the ongoing conflicts between those who want Seraikistan and the Punjabi elitists who rule Pakistan’s Punjab province region. Public debates concerning both freedom of speech as well as regional group rights began after the journalist’s imprisonment.
