Islamabad police storm National Press Club, assault journalists

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ISLAMABAD: Islamabad police forced to go to the National Press Club (NPC) on Thursday afternoon, in which journalists were attacked and vandalized in the premises during a demonstration of the Omi Action Committee – senior media figures of an incident condemned “one of the worst events in history”.

The protest was set at the National Press Club around 3 pm. When the protesters gathered out, the police arrested them.

The Awami Action Committee is organizing a protest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), which became violent and claimed the lives of at least nine people, three of them were police personnel.

The region is observing the strike between law enforcement and activists in the state capital, Muzaffarabad, a day ago, a day ago, a day ago, for the second consecutive day.

Journalists at the scene started documents for incidents with photo and videos, but police tried to stop them, even tried to snatch cameras and mobile phones.

Police were asked by senior journalists not to unite media personnel, police personnel forced to open the doors of the press club, some climbing the walls and entering the building as “terrorists are inside”.

He attacked several journalists, broke his luggage, and also defeated the drinking journalists and attacked the cafeteria.

The attack continued, despite repeated reports to the police that no protesters were inside. The cameras were thrown to the ground, while the media workers were attacked.

Afzal Butt, president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), condemned the incident, saying that the police broke the furniture of the NPC, attacked both employees and holders, and even arrested some staff.

The level of aggression shown by the police is unprecedented, he said.

Butt remarked, “Even during the dictatorship, such behavior was not observed. Police waited for a wanted person instead of raiding the press club.”

He warned that Islamabad police would have to respond to the violence, otherwise journalists would start a strong protest.

Meanwhile, NPC journalists were talking about their next process after the attack.

Following the incident, Minister of State for Home Talal Chaudhry visited the NPC and apologized to journalists after police torture of journalists.

“I have been sent by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. I apologize to unconditional journalists for the police violence,” he said.

The Home Minister took notice of the incident and sought a report from the Islamabad Police Chief. Ordering the investigation, Naqvi said that journalists would not be tolerated to torture.

He also directed disciplinary action against the responsible policemen.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar expressed his commitment that investigations would be taken against those responsible for the unpleasant incident and action would be taken against them.

Condemning the incident, Karachi Press Club (KPC) President Fazal Jamili said that the violation of the sanctity of the NPC was unacceptable. He also demanded accountability for those who tortured journalists.

In addition, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Shazia Mary, President of the Peshawar Press Club (PPC), and the general secretary have also condemned the incident.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) called for “immediately inquiry and brought the responsible ones into the book”.

Journalists’ term ‘terror’

Journalist organizations issued a joint statement, strongly condemning the police raids at the National Press Club (NPC) in Islamabad, describing it as part of the attack on press independence and a broader campaign against journalists.

The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), PFUJ, and the Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (Amand) condemned the attack on journalists, calling the raid a “terrorism” act. He said the incident was a continuation of the ongoing operations against media workers.

Organizations called for campaigns, intimidation and prevention on freedom of expression, emphasizing that journalists should be allowed to perform their professional duties without any pressure.

The statement recalled that the media had worked responsibly at the time of the conflict, protected national interests and defended the country’s ideological fronts.

He also rejected efforts to equalize reporters and freelancers with terrorists, saying such actions had violated the principles of free journalism.

Journalists have pointed out that the constitution guarantees citizens without access to information. He warned that the indiscriminate misuse of the Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) prevention has already confirmed their long -standing concerns.

Promising resistance at all levels, CPNE, PFUJ and Amand said they would exercise all constitutional and legal powers to oppose the media’s actions against the media.