LAHORE -- A British-Pakistani activist known for her criticism of Pakistan's military was briefly abducted late Tuesday (June 5) by unknown men in Lahore, her family said, prompting fears she had been forcibly "disappeared".
Gul Bukhari, 52, vanished for several hours a day after the military held a news conference warning that it is monitoring citizens who criticise Pakistan, amid a growing crackdown on free speech in the country.
Bukhari was on her way to a television news station in Lahore to appear as an analyst on a late night show when she was stopped by "plainclothes people", her husband, Ali Nadir, told AFP.
He later confirmed that she had been freed but could not immediately provide further details.
Bukhari released a statement hours after her release, thanking various people "for coming together in solidarity in concern for my well being last night".
Bukhari is known for advocating human rights online. Her articles are often highly critical of the military and its policies.
