Islamabad:
The Islamabad police staff stormed the National Press Club of the capital on Thursday evening, damaging the goods and subjecting journalists to violence – an unprecedented decision that sparked an outcry.
Eyewitness reported that the armed police suddenly entered the press club premises, vandalized of equipment and physically attacked several journalists. They said that a number of media professionals were injured as a result of the assault.
After the incident, journalists organized a strong demonstration in front of the National Press Club. Members of political and social organizations have also joined the demonstration.
Protesters demanded immediate and strict measures against police staff and agents involved to ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future.
Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) strongly condemned the attack. The president of the PFUJ, Afzal Butt, described it as “direct assault against the freedom and freedom of expression of the press”.
He announced that all media organizations would organize joint consultations to decide on a collective line of conduct. “It must be the last incident of this type,” he said.
The main journalist, Arshad Ansari, also denounced police action, describing it as undemocratic and an attempt to suppress freedom of expression. “Such a police behavior is absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” he said.
After the candy outcry, the Federal Minister of the Interior Mohin Naqvi took note of the attack and ordered the Inspector General of Islamabad to submit a detailed report.
Finding the incident “unacceptable”, the minister said that violence against journalists can in no way be tolerated.
The Minister of State in the Interior Talal Chaudhry also rushed to the National Press Club, where he presented unconditional apology to journalists. “The government is resistant to the media. Officials would be brought to justice,” he said.
