Police Storm National Press Club, Assault Journalists Amid Crackdown

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad police raided the National Press Club (NPC) on Thursday afternoon during a demonstration staged by the Awami Action Committee, where they allegedly manhandled journalists and vandalized property — an act senior media leaders denounced as among the “darkest episodes in press history.”

The protest was set to begin around 3pm outside the NPC. As participants assembled, police moved in and began arresting demonstrators. he Awami Action Committee has been organising protests in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), which turned violent and claimed the lives of at least nine people, three of them were police personnel.

The region is witnessing an overwhelming shutdown and wheeljam strike on the second consecutive day, a day earlier, amid intermittent skirmishes between law enforcers and activists in the state capital, Muzaffarabad.Journalists on the scene began documenting the events with photos and videos, but police attempted to stop them, even trying to snatch cameras and mobile phones.

Minutes after the police were asked not to manhandle media personnel by senior journalists, police personnel forced open the doors of the press club, with some climbing the walls and entering the building as if “terrorists were inside”.

They attacked multiple journalists, smashed their equipment, and also stormed the cafeteria, beating journalists who were having tea.

Despite journalists repeatedly informing the police that no protesters were inside, the assault continued. Cameras were thrown to the ground, while media workers were assaulted.

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Afzal Butt condemned the incident, saying police broke NPC’s furniture, assaulted both employees and office holders, and even arrested some of the staff.

He said the level of aggression displayed by police was unprecedented.

“Even during dictatorships, such behaviour was not witnessed. The police used to wait outside for a wanted person rather than raiding the Press Club,” Butt remarked.

He warned that Islamabad police would have to answer for the violence, otherwise, journalists would launch a strong protest.

Meanwhile, journalists at the NPC were holding discussions on their next course of action following the assault.

The interior minister took notice of the incident and sought a report from the Islamabad police chief. Ordering a probe, Naqvi said that subjecting the journalists to torture would not be tolerated.

He also issued directives for disciplinary action against the responsible cops.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar vowed that an investigation would be conducted and action would be taken against those responsible for the unpleasant incident.Condemning the incident, Karachi Press Club (KPC) President Fazil Jamili said the violation of NPC’s sanctity was unacceptable. He also demanded accountability for those who tortured the journalists. Furthermore, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Shazia Marri, Peshawar Press Club (PPC) president, and general secretary have also condemned the incident.

 

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) demanded an “immediate inquiry and those responsible brought to book. Journalists’ bodies on Thursday issued a joint statement strongly condemning the Islamabad police raid on the National Press Club (NPC), terming it a blatant assault on press freedom and part of a broader campaign targeting media workers.

The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), and the Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) denounced the incident, branding the attack on journalists as an act of “terrorism.” They noted that the raid reflected a disturbing continuation of coercive measures against the media.

The organisations demanded an immediate halt to smear campaigns, harassment, and restrictions on free expression, insisting that journalists must be allowed to discharge their professional responsibilities without interference.

The statement also highlighted that the media had always acted responsibly during national crises, safeguarding the country’s interests and protecting its ideological boundaries. It categorically rejected any attempt to equate journalists or freelancers with terrorists, declaring such actions a violation of the core principles of independent journalism.

The groups stressed that the Constitution ensures citizens’ right to unhindered access to information, warning that the unchecked use of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) had already confirmed their longstanding apprehensions.

Reiterating their resolve, CPNE, PFUJ, and AEMEND pledged to resist all moves against the media through every constitutional and legal avenue available.