'Who authorised ICT Police for violence against journalists?'

Talal Chaudhry issues unconditional apology to the press as IGP assures probe initiated

 

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and Islamabad IGP Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi separately assured the media on Friday of investigation into the police's recent actions against journalists at the National Press Club (NPC). 

IGP Rizvi was speaking to the media outside the Islamabad High Court when he was asked point blank as to who authorised the police to use violence against journalists. 

"The inquiry team will review CCTV footage and get to the bottom of the matter," said the IGP, assuring journalists that a probe has been launched into the incident. 

Meanwhile, Chaudhry addressed the media's questions at the National Assembly lounge. He emphasised that the government was not on board with the police having barged into the press club. 

Read: Islamabad Police storm National Press Club

However, he maintained that "this incident had no connection with any restriction on freedom of expression".

"Pakistan's democratic and constituional system is incomplete without a free press," he added.

Chaudhry had rushed to the National Press Club after the incident yesterday (Thursday). "The government stands with the media. Those responsible would be brought to justice," he had said.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also took notice of the attack and sought a detailed report from the Islamabad IGP. 

Terming the incident "unacceptable," the minister said violence against journalists cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.

Police storm NPC

Personnel of the Islamabad Police stormed the capital's NPC on Thursday evening, damaging property and subjecting journalists to violence in an unprecedented move that sparked an outcry of indignation.

Eyewitnesses said that armed police officials suddenly entered the premises of the press club, vandalized equipment, and physically attacked several journalists. They said a number of media professionals were injured in the assault.

 Journalists staged a strong protest outside NPC after the incident. Members of political and social organisations also joined the demonstration. Protesters demanded immediate and strict action against the police personnel and officers involved to ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) strongly condemned the attack, with the organisation's president, Afzal Butt, terming it "a direct assault on press freedom and freedom of expression".

He announced that all media organisations would hold joint consultations to decide a collective course of action. "This must be the last such incident," he said.