ISLAMABAD: After diplomats now journalists have become target of either murder of abduction. A Canadian woman journalist working for Al-Jazeera English was abducted last week.
Javed Rana, a correspondent of Al-Jazeera based in Islamabad, told Arab News “Canadian journalist Beverly Giesbrecht, 52, from Vancouver, British Columbia, who was on a freelance reporting assignment in Pakistan Frontier province, is missing. He said first hand knowledge of her missing came from one of her camera crew.”
Javed and Bureau Chief Kamal Hyder of Al-Jazeera confirmed to Arab News late Friday night that they were in touch with her as she was seeking guidance from Hyder because he is a Pashtun and was previously engaged with the CNN during Afghan war.
Canadian officials have been working with Pakistani authorities to seek the release of the woman.
Lisa Monette, a spokeswoman for Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in Toronto, confirmed that a Canadian woman has been abducted and said her agency is in discussions with Pakistani authorities, but refused further comment and to identify the woman, citing her own safety.
“I can only tell you that we are certainly aware of the kidnapping of the Canadian citizen in Pakistan and Canadian officials are working with Pakistan for her early release,” Monette said.
— With input from agencies
