Dubai (Pakistan News Online) Aftab Iqbal, Famous Pakistani TV host and author has been detained at Dubai International Airport, his brother revealed in a social media statement.
According to Details, The incident reportedly occurred on December 22, 2024, as Aftab Iqbal was traveling back to the UAE from Manchester, UK. According to his brother Junaid, who also works in the media industry, Aftab was stopped upon arrival and has since been unreachable.
Expressing deep concern over the situation, Junaid called for urgent intervention from community leaders and authorities to secure his brother’s release. He highlighted Aftab Iqbal’s significant contributions as a protector of the community and appealed for swift action to ensure his safety.
Details surrounding the detention remain unclear. The family has urged the public and officials to assist in resolving the matter promptly. They emphasized the urgency of securing Aftab Iqbal’s release and assured that further updates will be shared as the situation develops.
Aftab Iqbal arrested? What happened at Dubai Airport
Aftab Iqbal had gone to the UK a few weeks ago to attend his daughter’s graduation ceremony with his wife. During that time, he also attended a ceremony at Oxford University and expressed his thoughts.
He recently told someone in a conversation that he wanted to return to Pakistan but had not made any final announcement in this regard.
The family member said that when he landed at Dubai Airport and stood in line to leave, his wife was standing in front and he was behind. When Aftab Iqbal’s wife scanned her passport on the machine, she was allowed to leave but Aftab Iqbal was not allowed to leave. Since his wife had crossed the barrier and now the barrier had closed again, Aftab Iqbal was left inside. After that, his wife said that he tried on the other machine but was not allowed to go on the other machine either.
An officer told him to go to the immigration office. Aftab Iqbal headed towards the immigration office and that was the last time his wife saw him. Dubai Police has not yet officially confirmed the arrest of Aftab Iqbal and he has been missing for the past nineteen hours.
Aftab Iqbal has a golden visa. His grantor in Dubai has also been spoken to, and he said that he also has no information. It is being suggested that he has been arrested by Interpol, but on the other hand, the question is also being raised that if his red warrant is issued then how he boarded the plane after being cleared from Manchester.
Last year, Iqbal joined the long list of media persons who have left Pakistan. He went abroad a day after he was arrested in connection with the attack on the Lahore Corps Commander’s House on May 9 and was released shortly.
At that time, Aftab Iqbal wrote in a tweet, “For all wondering if I have left the country for good. NO! I have shows in the UAE and the UK. Summer is all scheduled with these events. See you soon again Pakistan.”
Aftab Iqbal is a senior journalist and businessman. He founded the Aap Media Group. In the past, he hosted TV programs such as Hasb-e-Haal on Dunya News, Khabarnak on Geo News, Khabardaar on Express News, Himaqatain on 92 News and Khabarzar on Aap News and Khabarzar on Neo News.