Raid at journalist’s house sparks outcry

Interior ministry orders probe

ISLAMABAD: The paramilitary Rangers raided the home of a New York Times journalist on Tuesday, sparking a wave of criticism on social media and prompting an investigation by the interior ministry.

Journalist Salman Masood live-tweeted the search, fuelling outrage by other users, who questioned why authorities would target members of the international media while, as a user put it, “turning a blind eye to activities of banned terrorist outfits”.

Masood, a Pakistan correspondent at the newspaper, said that at least six Rangers arrived at his home around 7:30am “in search of a suspect”.

When he refused to let them in without a warrant, they left, but returned later with an officer and inspected the home for a few minutes without removing anything.

He said that at least one other house in the neighbourhood also appeared to have been searched, adding that when he tried to introduce himself, they “weren’t keen” on knowing who he was.

Meanwhile, Rangers and police conducted a joint operation in the federal capital’s rural areas in search of suspected criminals. The search was led by SSP (Rural) Syed Mustafa Tanveer in Sihala police precincts, Lohi Bher and Nilore. Twenty-five suspects were detained with 17 weapons.

The house of Masood, who lives in Canyon Views, near the Defence Housing Authority, was searched as well. The journalist is also the editor of Pakistani daily The Nation.

A police spokesman claimed that 300 houses were searched during the operation from 5:45am to 10am.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2016.