ISLAMABAD - A Foreign Office spokesperson on Thursday confirmed the arrest of Moeed Pirzada in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The renowned TV anchorperson and analyst was taken to an Abu Dhabi prison along with his critically ill father.
The spokesperson said the embassy was in touch with the UAE government and Pirzada as well. “We are extending all possible cooperation to him,” he added.
The spokesman declined to give details about the nature of charges levelled against Pirzada by the UAE authorities.
However, the family sources have revealed that Pirzada has been charged with forgery. “He has been arrested on the charges of signing his father’s cheque book along with his sister. But he has power of attorney and we need to send the legal paper to the authorities in Abu Dhabi as a proof,” the family sources told The Nation.
Pirzada’s arrest comes months after another Pakistani analyst and commentator Zaid Hamid was arrested in Saudi Arabia. Hamid was arrested during a private visit to the Kingdom with his wife and was apparently taken into custody after making speeches against the Saudi government.