A joint action committee made up of journalists and media representatives submitted a claims charter to the Ministry of the Interior, requesting rapid and strict action against the people involved in the police descent last week at the National Press Club in Islamabad.
A delegation led by journalist Azhar Jatoi met the Minister of the Interior Talal Chaudhry on Tuesday to officially present the claims. During the meeting, the secretary of the APN, Nayyar Ali, informed the Minister of the Incident and informed him of the concerns of the committee concerning the aggression against media personnel.
In accordance with the Charter, journalists demanded that a commission of inquiry be trained within 24 hours to investigate the incident and that a detailed report be submitted within four days. They also called for strict legal proceedings against those responsible.
Chaudhry assured the delegation that the government took the question seriously. “The Prime Minister, the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Information expressed their serious concern to the incident and ordered an in-depth investigation,” he said.
Learn more: Islamabad police storm the National Press Club
The Minister also announced that police officers will now be required to obtain the prior authorization of the administrations of the press clubs before entering their premises.
The Commission proposed the creation of a joint investigation organization including representatives of the Ministries of the Interior and Information, as well as the APN, to guarantee impartiality. He also asked for the formation of a high -level committee under the aegis of the Federal Interior Minister to ensure the long -term security of press clubs across the country.
The Charter also calls for a formal notification guaranteeing the security of press clubs and media institutions.
Expressing its frustration in the face of delays in implementing journalists’ protection mechanisms, the Commission noted that the journalist protection commission remains non -functional even after four years. He demanded that the organization be fully constituted and operational within two weeks, in accordance with relevant legislation.
Read: Who authorized the police to commit violence against journalists?
The Commission also called on Parliament to adopt a unanimous resolution guaranteeing the sacredness and independence of press clubs and journalist unions. In response, Chaudhry undertook to approach the question with the president of the Senate, the president of the National Assembly and other competent authorities.
Last week, members of the Islamabad police stormed the NPC, vandalizing goods and assaulting journalists. Eye witnesses said that armed police entered the premises without warning, damaged equipment and injured several media professionals.
The attack sparked the general indignation of journalists’ associations, who described it as “a direct attack on press freedom and freedom of expression”. Demonstrations broke out before the AFN, with members of political and social organizations joining the demonstrations.
Following the outcry, the Minister of the Interior Mohin Naqvi took note of the incident and ordered the IGP of Islamabad to submit a detailed report. Qualifying this operation as “unacceptable”, he said: “Violence against journalists can in no way be tolerated. »»
