Interior minister orders probe into Islamabad Police’s storming press club, assaulting journalists

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has taken notice of the unpleasant incident that occurred at the National Press Club (NPC) in Islamabad and has sought a report from the inspector general of Islamabad Police, the Ministry of Interior said in a statement on Thursday.

The remarks came following Islamabad Police officials’ barging into the press club and brutally torturing journalists during a protest organised by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Action Committee (JKJAC).

The interior minister has ordered an investigation into the incident of violence against journalists, saying that violence against the journalist community will not be tolerated under any circumstances, the ministry said.

He directed that the cops involved in the incident be identified and disciplinary action be taken against them.

PM Shehbaz voices concern over AJK unrest, urges restraint on both sides

Meanwhile, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) also condemned the raid on the NPC and assault on journalists by the Islamabad Police. “We demand an immediate inquiry and those responsible brought to book,” the rights advocacy body said.

Plethora of journalists have condemned the incident. Some said the media persons who were covering Kashmiris’ protest outside the press club were targeted.

Violent protests have been going on in Azad Jammu and Kashmir which have claimed lives of three police officials and injured scores others a day ago.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had expressed grave concern over the state of law and order in AJK on Thursday, while urging the local residents to maintain peace and also ordering the law enforcement officials to exercise restraint.

After negotiations between the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), the AJK government, and federal ministers collapsed over elite privileges and reserved refugee seats, AJK was paralysed by a communications blackout amid three-day strike during which rallies were held and clashes erupted. Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and AJK PM Chaudhry Anwarul Haq extended an invitation to the JAAC for new talks on Wednesday.