Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has ordered an investigation following a police raid on Islamabad’s National Press Club, where officers reportedly mistook journalists for protesters, resulting in violence and vandalism. On October 2, police personnel stormed the Press Club, assaulting media workers and damaging the cafeteria. The incident sparked outrage after videos of the police baton charge and assaults went viral on social media.
Naqvi immediately took notice of the incident and instructed the Inspector General of Islamabad Police to submit a report. He condemned the violence against journalists and vowed that such actions would not be tolerated. Naqvi also directed that disciplinary action be taken against the involved officers.
Minister of State for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, apologized on behalf of the government and Islamabad police, stating that the police had been pursuing protestors who allegedly mishandled officers and ended up confronting journalists at the Press Club. Chaudhry assured that an internal inquiry had been initiated and emphasized the government’s commitment to accountability.
The police crackdown has drawn strong condemnation from various media organizations, including the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ), both of which called for immediate action against the responsible officers. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) also condemned the use of force against journalists and demanded an inquiry.
This incident highlights growing concerns over press freedom in Pakistan, with journalists and media bodies uniting to demand justice and the protection of their rights.
