KAJANG: Pakistani journalist Syed Fawad Ali Shah was deported to Islamabad last year, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

Asked about the status of the purportedly missing journalist, the minister said he was informed of the deportation last week.

Based on official records, he said, Syed Fawad was extradited in August at the request of the Pakistan government.

“This request was made by their embassy to the government of the day.

“Acting on the request, made via diplomatic channels, the government successfully traced him and he was sent back (around) the third week of the month,” he told the press here on Tuesday (Jan 3).

He added that there were two versions of the story, one being that Syed Fawad was a former policeman with disciplinary cases against him.

“That is the version by Pakistan.

"But he had a good ability to write, and he wrote a lot critiquing the government to the point that he was (regarded) as a journalist,” he said.

It was reported in a news portal recently that Syed Fawad had been missing since Aug 23.

On another matter, Saifuddin said Pakatan Harapan would meet on Saturday (Jan 7) to discuss various political matters, including the upcoming state elections and any potential partnerships with Barisan Nasional in the polls.