A major controversy erupted in Islamabad after police raided the National Press Club (NPC) on Thursday, where several journalists were assaulted and equipment was damaged. The incident sparked outrage across the journalist community, prompting Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to order an immediate inquiry.
According to visuals aired on DawnNewsTV, policemen armed with batons attacked journalists inside the press club premises. Social media clips also showed police dragging reporters from the cafeteria, with one journalist displaying his broken Nikon camera and a ripped shirt as evidence of the violence.
In response, Interior Minister Naqvi described the incident as “unfortunate” and directed the Islamabad inspector general of police to submit a detailed report. He stressed that violence against journalists would not be tolerated and called for disciplinary action against those responsible.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) strongly condemned the raid. PFUJ President Afzal Butt, speaking at a press conference alongside Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, said press club office-bearers who tried to intervene were also beaten and tortured. He confirmed that two people were arrested but later released.
Butt added that the PFUJ had called an emergency session to chalk out demands and decide future action. He called the raid a “matter of now or never” for journalists, emphasizing that the press club is a second home for photographers and reporters.
“This has never happened before — to enter a journalist’s home, beat him, break his camera and mobile phone, and drag him without justification,” Butt said, warning that the journalist community would not stay silent.
The raid has fueled debate about press freedom in Pakistan, raising concerns about the safety and independence of journalists in the country.
