ISLAMABAD:
Pakistani analyst and commentator Zaid Hamid has been arrested in Saudi Arabia, the Foreign Office said on Thursday.
According to reports, Hamid was arrested during a private visit to the Kingdom with his wife. He was apparently taken into custody after making speeches against the Saudi government.
Read: Saudi Arabia condemns foreign criticism of blogger’s lashings
“Our embassy in Riyadh has informed us that Mr Zaid Hamid was arrested about two weeks ago. Since then, the embassy has been working with the local authorities to get consular access,” Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah told a news briefing in Islamabad.
“Due to the efforts of the embassy, his wife was able to talk to him. Again, due to the efforts of the embassy, his wife will be able to meet with him on 30 June,” he said without giving further details.
Read: Man in abaya arrested for ‘molesting women’ in Makkah mosque
In 2013, a former aide who left Hamid’s organisation accused him of being on the payrolls of the Inter-Services Intelligence agency to wage psychological operations against those opposed to the Pakistani security establishment.
I don't understand. They arrested him for his ONLINE writings? That he did when he was not within the borders of Saudi? He probably just went there for an Umrah. Then why grant people visas then in that case?
They might as well arrest me after reading my blogs.
In 2013, a former aide who left Hamid’s organisation accused him of being on the payrolls of the Inter-Services Intelligence agency to wage psychological operations against those opposed to the Pakistani security establishment.
I hope all those idiots celebrating Zaid Hamid's detention on social media reserve the same judgment when a US citizen gets arrested in Pakistan for saying something against Pakistan in US. Hypocrites.
This is setting a very bad precedent. Today it's Zaid Hamid, tomorrow it could be whoever that dare say something against Saudi Arabia.
I do not support Zaid Hamid, but the Saudi regime is acting like bullies. So he has got 1200 lashes and 8 years imprisonment, reason being his writings against the holy saud family.
I do not support Zaid Hamid, but the Saudi regime is acting like bullies. So he has got 1200 lashes and 8 years imprisonment, reason being his writings against the holy saud family.
I dont like the guy but this is despicable. What else can you expect from a dictatorial and totalitarian regime.
I will miss the programs of " hum lal qila par subz hilali purcham lehraen gee.. hindu ki gardan maar di jae gi??? BTW some of his parodies are most hilarious ones.
A lot of activists and civil society members in Pakistan are getting increasingly anti Saudi for all the right reasons. I shudder to think the prospect of Pakistani citizens getting nabbed in Saudi Arabia on Ummrah and Hajj trips for their opinions on house of Saud! This is a very bad precedent. Kudos to Iran for taking this matter quite seriously. It's about time Pakistanis also develop some self respect.
I'm sorry, whatever issues you may have with Zaid Hamid, he did not break any Saudi law to deserve this punishment. Quit celebrating. This is actually a very very serious issue, and it can happen to any of us here!
Zaid Hamid facing the wrath of Bedoiun despotism. He is reportedly sentenced 8 years and 1000 lashes in Saudi Arabia (supposedly for criticizing the Saudi regime vis-a-vis its role in Yemen conflict).
The man who once wanted to hang dozens of his own countrymen (for “treason”), now his own fate is hanging from a thread in Saudi Arabia.
Nevertheless, though I was never a fan of his conspiratorial rants, I would still call for his release. In fact, he was right to castigate the Saudis for the mess they have created in Yemen.
Read it somewhere that he isnt arrested only for criticizing, he was actually running some org on the side from chaklala scheme that was working directly against Saudi govt. And he got on their list during Yemen crisis.
They took him as India would take Jhangvi if he visits there.
But yes with this punishment of 8 yrs and 100 lashes, i take my words back. He is so stupid for sure but still a Pakistani and Saudis have no right to detain him and now once again it all comes back to Pakistani govt how much they act to get their citizen back.
That being said, can they also take a look into 100s of poor Pakistani citizen who are in unknown Saudi jails for minor reasons?
The guy is a clown, but we cannot let this happen. I hope civil society people go and protest outside of Saudi Embassy and pressure govt to have him released. I don't agree with much he says or stands for, but I will defend his right to say it. Saudi dictatorship needs to know that they are creating more enemies & not making friend with actions like this.
What's really shocking and eye opening about this whole episode is that self proclaimed desi (pseudo) liberals who were protesting and crying about Saudi blogger's punishment are absolutely celebrating Zaid Hamid's arrest. Such is the level of their extreme hatred for their own agencies as they forget about their own principle. The hypocrisy and idiocy of the Human Rights mafia is beyond pathetic.
I really appreciate Iran for not allowing Saudis to take the piss with their religious privileges. It is sickening to imagine that people can get arrested and receive the most barbaric punishment for their political opinions while they are in Saudi Arabia to perform their religious duties.
There will be a day where me might need 'politically clear' record to perform Hajj and Umrah safely in Kingdom of Saud.