Guards of PML-F leader booked for thrashing The Express Tribune staffer

Political parties and journalists unanimously condemn the incident

KARACHI: A case was registered on Sunday against the private security guards of Pakistan Muslim League -Functional (PML-F) leader Pir Yasir Shah for manhandling The Express Tribune reporter Zubair Ashraf in Karachi on Saturday.

Ashraf was assaulted by private security guards escorting the PML-F leader Saturday evening when Shah was travelling on Korangi Road in his black Toyota Land Cruiser, registration No QL-777, along with seven to eight Toyota Vigos and mobile vans with both police officials and armed private guards. The guards were enraged when Ashraf, who was travelling on a motorcycle, raised objections over the rash driving of the vehicles in the convoy. They angrily beat him with batons and injured him.

The Express Tribune staffer was taken to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre where doctors confirmed that his injuries were consistent with him being 'subjected to torture'.



An FIR, No 132/17, was registered under sections 147, 148, 149, 506/B-504 and 337 (A)(1) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) against Shah's security guards at the Defence police station on Ashraf's complaint. Though Shah was not booked in the FIR, the police said they plan to question him over the matter as well.

"As the case has been registered, the police are looking to arrest the suspects," said South SSP Saqib Ismail Memon, adding that the police will also interrogate Shah. The case was later transferred to the police's investigation wing.

On the other hand, the PML-F leader admitted that the vehicle bearing the licence plate number QL-777 belonged to him and that he was driving it at the time of the incident. However, he expressed ignorance about the incident. Shah assured that he would cooperate with the police if his guards were found to be involved in the crime.



However, despite the passage of another day, no action was taken against the perpetrators. "The FIR is non-cognisable so there is no need for arrests," said Investigations SSP Faizullah Korejo. "After the medical report and statements, the case may be challenged," he said.

SSP Korejo's statement was, however, in stark contradiction with the stance of Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal, who assured that the guards involved in the incident will be arrested. Siyal also vowed to withdraw the PML-F leader's security after the incident.

Political parties and journalists' reaction

The thrashing of The Express Tribune staffer was unanimously condemned by political leaders and journalists alike.



Muttahida Qaumi Movement's deputy parliamentary leader in the Sindh Assembly Faisal Subzwari condemned the incident and termed it 'unfortunate and shameful'. "We, as parliamentarians, discourage VIP culture and assure that the incident will be brought to discussion in the Sindh Assembly session on Monday," he pledged.

Pakistan Peoples Party MPA Khairunnisa Mughal urged the government to take appropriate action against those involved in the incident, as it was a clear violation of law.   The aggressive attitude of the guards was also condemned by former opposition leader and current PML-F MPA Sheharyar Mahar. However, he defended Shah saying that he was unaware of the mishandling when it happened. When asked about Shah's security convoy, Mahar replied, "I cannot comment on why he takes a cavalcade of seven to eight vehicles since it is his personal life". He added that it is a weakness of the state for not being able to inquire from Shah about the reasons for taking so many heavily armed guards.

Shah, while talking to The Express Tribune on Sunday, justified keeping a convoy of heavily armed personal guards. "Every person has a right to take security measures for themselves," he added. He also denied that his guards manhandled the journalist.



The Karachi Union of Journalists 'strongly condemned' the alleged assault. "Inhuman torture of a journalist is not only highly deplorable, but also exposed the curse of VIP culture in our society," said a statement issued by the body.