Tensions between media personnel and party members rose as protests continued. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Electronic and print media staff launched protest after a scuffle between Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) workers and media men resulted in minor face injuries to a cameraman of a local channel.
Media workers boycotted the Punjab Assembly proceedings and demanded strict action against those involved in the incident.
The injured was shifted to a hospital and the accused was handed over to police for investigation. PTI workers and leaders claimed that the person who attacked the cameraman was an agent sent by the Punjab government to disgrace the sit-in.
On the protests of media men, PTI Punjab President Ejaz Chaudhary tendered an apology and assured a personal probe into the incident. Chaudhary requested media and party workers to remain calm. As tempers flared between media and PTI workers, police lined up between them to avoid any untoward incident.
Later, office bearers of media organisations gathered at Faisal Chowk in front of the Punjab Assembly to protest against PTI. Media had stopped coverage of PTI hunger strike sit-in after the incident.
President Lahore Press Club Arshed Ansari said the protests would continue till the responsible is handed an exemplary punishment.
President Cameramen Association demanded that the case be registered against PTI workers who assaulted the cameraman.
PTI was holding a hunger strike to protest against alleged rigging in the August elections and over 70 PTI leaders and workers had been baton-charged and arrested by the Punjab police on Saturday. However, they were released hours later on the orders of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
Federal information minister Pervaiz Rasheed advised Imran Khan to ask his workers not to misbehave with the media. The minister said the government condemns the incident.
Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed, PTI lawmaker and opposition leader in Punjab Assembly said he would personally talk to Imran Khan about the incident. People who found themselves involved in scuffle with media men would be expelled from the party if found guilty, said Rasheed.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2013.
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PTI should restraint from the politics of sit ins and road blocks. Its leadership and supporters claim to be the most educated in Pakistan. They should not indulge in dirty politics. They can utilize the civilized ways to protest. What is the change brought by Imran Khan, if the same tactics like other parties have to be used?