• Islamabad Police attacked journalist outside IHC
• Journalists Abbas Bashir and Saqib Bashir were attacked
• The incident happened during an appearance by Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Police on Tuesday attacked journalists outside the Islamabad High Court during an appearance by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

The former prime minister was leaving the Judicial Complex after a court appearance when Islamabad Police clashed with journalists present outside the main gate.

Police roughed up two journalist Abbas Bashir and senior journalist Saqib Bashir who were performing their journalistic duties. Police also prevent them form entering the buildings despite being informed that they were court reporters.

In a tweet, Journalist Saqib Bashir questioned the high-handedness of the Islamabad Police. He said the action of the police are reprehensible.

“Under whose order did Islamabad Police torture journalists in Islamabad High Court and Judicial Complex?” he asked in a tweet.

“Who is acting in place of Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court? Has anyone adopted this new method of torture on journalists?” he questioned

PFUJ Secretary General Rana Muhammad Azim said violence by Islamabad police against journalists will not be tolerated. He said PFUJ strongly condemns the violence against other journalists including Saqib Bashir.

President PFUJ GM Jamali said the government is acting with force and violence in every case. He said immediate action should be taken against the officials involved in violence.

Punjab Union of Journalists General Secretary Shahid Chaudhry PUJ also condemned the incident and said the current government has made violence against journalists a norm.

PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry strongly condemned the violence against journalists outside the Islamabad High Court.

“This fascist attitude has become the m of the state machinery,” he said in a tweet. He added that Chief Justice of Islamabad High Courrt should fulfill his responsibility and take immediate action against the policemen.

A delegation of journalists met with the Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court Justice Aamer Farooq and informed him about the incident.

The judge took notice of Assistant Commissioner Abdullah’s presence within the court premises. He summoned the Chief Commissioner Islamabad to explain about the presence of the officer.

The chief justice also summoned Inspector-General Police (IGP) Islamabad tomorrow regarding the issue of violence against journalists.

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