ISLAMABAD: Federal police have launched an investigation into the incident in which officers forcibly entered the Islamabad Press Club (NPC) and assaulted journalists covering a protest.
Inspector General of Islamabad Police, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, has constituted a high-level inquiry committee to probe the matter. According to sources, the committee will be headed by DIG Headquarters Haroon Joya, with other senior police officials also included.
The committee has already obtained CCTV footage from the Safe City Authority and identified the officers who stormed the club. All eleven police personnel involved reportedly belong to the Islamabad Police Dolphin Force. The committee will fix responsibility and submit its report to the IGP.
The incident occurred when police baton-charged journalists covering a demonstration by the AJK Awami Action Committee outside the National Press Club. Officers later entered the club premises, damaging cameras, vandalizing the cafeteria, and assaulting journalists who were dining at the time.
Read More: Islamabad police storm National Press Club, assault journalists
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi ordered an immediate inquiry, stating that violence against journalists is unacceptable under any circumstances. He directed that all officials involved be identified and subjected to disciplinary action. The minister also sought a detailed report from the Islamabad IGP.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry visited the National Press Club (NPC) shortly after the incident and issued an unconditional apology to the journalist community during a press conference. He emphasized that the government fully upholds freedom of expression and that the incident was not politically motivated.
The journalist fraternity has strongly condemned the attack and demanded swift accountability.
