In the line of duty: journalist tortured by hospital guards

Security staff arrested on orders of Home Minister Bugti

QUETTA: The Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) on Monday held a protest demonstration outside the Balochistan Assembly during the budget session against the torture of VoA Urdu correspondent Murtaza Zeb Zehri at the hands of Sheikh Zayed Hospital’s security guards.

The journalists boycotted the budget session against the torture of their colleague and blocked Zarghoon Road to register their protest.

They raised full-throated slogans against the administration of Sheikh Zayed Hospital and demanded immediate dismissal of medical superintendent and security guards, who gave a beating to the journalist.



Zehri was reporting Sheikh Zayed Hospital's recent job scandal when the administration ordered security guards to beat him and break his camera.

“I was covering a story when the director ordered the security guards to snatch my camera. Five security guards beat me up and broke my camera,” Zehri said.

Taking notice of the incident, Minister for Home and Tribal Affairs Sarfraz Bugti ordered an inquiry into the incident following which five security guards were arrested and an FIR lodged against them in New Sariyab Police Station.



“The provincial government believes in free and fair journalism in Balochistan. Those responsible for torturing the journalist will be brought to justice and strict action will be taken against the administration for ordering the torture of the journalist,” Bugti said.

Young Doctors Association showed full sympathy with the journalist.

“The journalist was performing his duty when the security guards tortured him. We stand by the journalist community,” said YDA President Yasir Khosti.

On the assurance of the home minister, the journalists called off their protest and joined the budget session.