Interior minister orders probe after Islamabad Police storm National Press club, assault journalists

Islamabad (Web Desk): Islamabad police on Thursday barged into the National Press Club (NPC) during a demonstration called by the Awami Action Committee, attacking journalists and damaging property in what senior media figures described as one of the gravest assaults on press freedom in the country’s history.

The protest had been planned for around 3pm outside the NPC. As participants assembled, police moved in to arrest them. Reporters covering the gathering started filming and taking photographs, but officers attempted to obstruct them, even trying to snatch cameras and mobile phones.

Not long after senior journalists asked officers to refrain from mishandling media personnel, police forced their way into the building.

Some climbed over the walls to enter, behaving, as witnesses put it, “as though militants were hiding inside.” Once inside, they attacked several journalists, destroyed equipment, and stormed the cafeteria, beating staff and reporters who were seated there.

Despite repeated assurances from journalists that no demonstrators were inside, the raid continued. Cameras were smashed, media workers were roughed up, and staff members were injured.

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Afzal Butt condemned the violence, saying police broke the club’s furniture, assaulted employees and office-bearers, and even arrested some of the staff.

Calling the aggression unprecedented, he noted that “such behaviour was not seen even during eras of dictatorship. At that time, police waited outside for a wanted person rather than invading the Press Club.” He cautioned that unless Islamabad police explained their conduct, journalists would stage a strong protest.

Later, media professionals gathered at the NPC to discuss their response.

Taking notice of the incident, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi sought a report from the Islamabad police chief.

He ordered an inquiry and directed strict disciplinary action against those involved, stressing that brutality against journalists could not be allowed.