ISLAMABAD: Analyst Zaid Hamid returned to Pakistan on Friday night from Saudi Arabia where he remained under detention for allegedly criticising the Saudi government.

“Mr Zaid Hamid has been released and has arrived in Pakistan,” Foreign Office spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said while responding to a question. Mr Hamid had earlier announced his return through a twitter posting.

“Allahu Akbar!! I am back in Pakistan with dignity and in good health, arrived last night,” he tweeted.

He was arrested by Saudi authorities in June, but the exact nature of charges against him is still not clear.

There had been speculations that Mr Hamid was sentenced to eight years in jail and 1,200 lashes. He appeared to be under some restrictions following his return.

Quite uncharacteristically, Mr Hamid tweeted “Resting now & NOT taking calls”.

A post on his office’s Facebook account said the same: “His cell phones are off and he needs some privacy with his family, so please let him rest for now. He will not make any media and public statement for now. He is NOT taking any visitors for now.”

However, his radical views remain unchanged.

In another tweet, Mr Hamid said Indians thought he would not return... “their nightmare is back now”.

Civil society, which had always been critical of Mr Hamid’s radical views, remained at the forefront in demanding his release. Civil society had also criticised the Saudi government for curbing right of expression.

The FO spokesman said that he was released by the Saudis because of the government’s efforts.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2015

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