ISLAMABAD – Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday directed an inquiry after police stormed the National Press Club in Islamabad, allegedly roughing up journalists and others inside the building.
The incident occurred during a protest by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, which has been demonstrating since late September against special allowances for officials and demanding subsidized electricity and wheat for the region. According to police, some protesters entered the club after clashing with officers outside. Viral videos showed police chasing and beating individuals with batons before dragging them out.
Naqvi condemned the violence, saying: “No aggression against journalists will be tolerated. All those involved must be identified and punished.” He sought a report from Islamabad’s police chief.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry visited the club to apologize. Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Afzal Butt said the police even targeted press club officials, warning that ignoring the attack would embolden similar incidents nationwide.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) also denounced the assault, demanding an immediate inquiry. The rare police action inside the country’s premier press club has sparked outrage across Pakistan’s journalist community.
