Post by : Rameen Ariff

Islamabad, Pakistan – Tensions in Pakistan rose sharply on Thursday as police stormed the National Press Club (NPC) in Islamabad, attacking journalists inside amid protests over alleged human rights abuses in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The raid comes as the region faces increasing unrest and reports of internet blackouts.

According to local media, the police entered the press club to target Kashmiri journalists who were covering a “call to protest” by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). The JAAC had organized demonstrations outside Pakistan’s capital against the Shehbaz Sharif government, highlighting alleged atrocities in PoK.

Videos and images circulating on social media captured the chaotic scenes. Policemen armed with batons were seen entering the press club cafeteria and physically attacking journalists and protesters inside. In one image, a journalist was shown struggling to free his collar from the grip of a police officer while holding his camera in the other hand. Other footage showed officers forcibly dragging journalists out of the building.

Anas Mallick, a reporter with TV channel Asia One, told Dawn that police had come specifically to arrest Kashmiri journalists. “They were acting like thugs,” Mallick said, describing the raid as violent and unnecessary. Veteran journalist Hamid Mir confirmed that police had tried to detain JAAC members but ended up targeting journalists present in the press club cafeteria.

Reports suggest that the police mistakenly identified journalists as protesters, which led to the attack. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned the use of force against media personnel and called for a full investigation.

In response to the incident, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi ordered a probe into the raid. He stated that such violence against journalists is unacceptable under any circumstances and demanded a detailed report from the Islamabad Inspector General of Police. Naqvi also emphasized that disciplinary action should be taken against all officials involved.

The incident has sparked nationwide concern over press freedom and the treatment of minorities, highlighting growing challenges for journalists covering sensitive issues in Pakistan.

#world news #Global News