Islamabad:
Staff at the Islamabad police stormed the capital’s national press club on Thursday night, injured property and vulnerable journalists for violence – an unprecedented step that triggered a scream of indignation.
Eyewitnesses reported that armed police officers suddenly entered the press club’s premises, vandalized equipment and physically attacked several journalists. They said a number of media professionals were injured as a result of the assault.
After the incident, journalists staged a strong protest outside the National Press Club. Members of political and social organizations also joined the demonstration.
Protesters demanded immediate and strict action against police staff and involved officers to ensure such incidents are prevented in the future.
The Pakistani Federal Association of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned severely attacked. PFUJ president Afzal Butt called it “a direct attack on freedom of press and freedom of speech.”
He announced that all media organizations would hold joint consultations to decide a collective course of action. “This must be the last such event,” he said.
Senior Journalist Leader Arshad Ansari also condemned police action and described it as undemocratic and an attempt to suppress freedom of speech. “Such a behavior from the police is absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” he declared.
After the media’s screams, the federal minister of interior Mohsin Naqvi noted the attack and instructed the police general inspector to submit a detailed report.
To denote the incident “unacceptable” the minister said that violence against journalists cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.
Prime Minister of Interior Talal Chaudhry also rushed to the National Press Club, where he issued an unconditional apology to journalists. “The government stands with the media. Those responsible would be brought to justice,” he said.
