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| Photo Via (X/Twitter) – @naaz_mahar |
Islamabad Police stormed the National Press Club (NPC) on Thursday, assaulting journalists and protesters during a demonstration organized by the Azad Kashmir Awami Action Committee.
According to eyewitnesses, police officers entered the club premises without warning, vandalized the cafeteria, and manhandled several journalists present inside. Reports also confirmed that a press club employee was taken into custody during the raid.
The clash began after Kashmiri protesters gathered outside the NPC to raise their voices against human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir. As tensions escalated, police forcibly dispersed the demonstrators, leading to chaos both outside and within the press club.
The incident sparked widespread condemnation from media bodies and civil society organizations, who described the police action as an attack on press freedom and the right to peaceful protest.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi took notice of the matter and directed the Inspector General of Islamabad Police to submit a detailed report. He assured that strict action will be taken against those found guilty of misconduct.
“The use of force against journalists is unacceptable and will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” the minister said in a statement.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) also condemned the raid and demanded accountability, stressing that freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
The incident has once again raised concerns over the state of press freedom and the government’s handling of protests, particularly those linked to the Kashmir issue.
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