A joint action committee for journalists and media representatives has submitted a charter with demands to the Ministry of the Interior and sought quick and strict action against those involved in last week’s police attack at the National Press Club in Islamabad.
A delegation led by senior journalist Azhar Jatoi met prime minister of interior Talal Chaudhry on Tuesday to present the requirements formally. During the meeting, NPC secretary Nayyar Ali informed the minister about the incident and conveyed the committee’s concern about the assault on media staff.
According to the charter, journalists have demanded that an investigation committee be formed within 24 hours to investigate the incident and that a detailed report is submitted within four days. They also called for strict lawsuits against those responsible.
Chaudhry assured the delegation that the government took the matter seriously. “The Prime Minister, the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Information have expressed serious concern about the incident and instructed a thorough investigation,” he said.
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The Minister also announced that police officers will now be obliged to obtain prior permission from the press club administrations before entering their premises.
The Committee has proposed a joint study body consisting of representatives from the interior and the Ministry of Information and NPC to ensure impartiality. It also called on the formation of a high -level committee below the Federal Interior Minister to ensure long -term security for press clubs nationwide.
The charter also called for a formal review that guaranteed the security of press clubs and media institutions.
The expression of frustration over delays in the implementation of journalism protection mechanisms noted the committee that Journalist’s Protection Commission remains non-functional, even after four years. It required the body to be fully composed and operationalized within two weeks of the relevant legislation.
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The Committee also appealed to Parliament to adopt a unanimous decision to protect the holiness and independence of the press clubs. In response, Chaudhry promised to take up the question with the chairman of the Senate, the National Assembly’s speeches and other relevant authorities.
Last week, the staff of the Islamabad police stormed NPC, vandalizing property and assaults by journalists. Eyewitnesses said armed police officers entered the premises without warning, damaged equipment and wounded several media workers.
The attack triggered widespread indignation among journalistic bodies that described it as “a direct attack on freedom of press and freedom of speech.” Protests broke out outside the NPC, with members of political and social organizations that joined the demonstrations.
After the scream, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi noted the incident and instructed Islamabad IGP to submit a detailed report. To denote the raid “unacceptable,” he said, “violence against journalists cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.”
