Intelligence operatives harass Dawn journalist Baqir Sajjad

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 12 June 2019

Baqir Sajjad, a senior correspondent for Dawn, faced harassment from intelligence operatives in Islamabad. This incident has sparked outrage among media professionals and human rights organizations.

Summary

ISLAMABAD – Intelligence operatives harassed senior Dawn correspondent Baqir Sajjad on Wednesday evening after he met diplomats from the British High Commission at a café in Super Market.

Sajjad told JournalismPakistan.com that as soon as he got into his car parked outside the outlet following the meeting, three men accosted him.

“They knew who I had met, and wanted to take me along, but I resisted all their attempts,” he said.

One of the operatives even pulled the car key out of the ignition, but Sajjad somehow managed to get it back.

He said the men insisted the state had authorized them to take him along and by not cooperating with them, he was resisting the state.

After an encounter that lasted about seven to eight minutes, Sajjad was able to flee, thanks to his perfectly parked car.

Media watchdogs, journalists, and others condemned the harassment. Amnesty International South Asia said in a tweet: “Journalism is not a crime, and journalists should not be treated like criminals. Pakistani journalists must be allowed to do their work freely and without fear. The threats, intimidation, and violence against journalists must stop.”

Journalism is not a crime, and journalists should not be treated like criminals. Pakistani journalists must be allowed to do their work freely and without fear. The threats, intimidation and violence against journalists must stop. https://t.co/naCM3ywZuk

— Amnesty International South Asia (@amnestysasia) June 12, 2019

Minister of Human Rights, Shireen Mazari said: “Didnt know what had happened but called @baqirsajjad to find out. Mtg foreign press attaches is routine for journalists. Our press attaches abroad meet local journalists all the time. Harassing a journalist for doing his job unacceptable in a democracy.”

Didnt know what had happened but called @baqirsajjad to find out. Mtg foreign press attaches is routine for journalists. Our press attaches abroad meet local journalists all the time. Harassing a journalist for doing his job unacceptable in a democracy. https://t.co/Up6MRmij9y

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) June 12, 2019

Geo News presenter Hamid Mir also took to Twitter to express support to Sajjad. “Threats to media freedom increasing day by day we are facing unannounced censorship my full support to @baqirsajjad#JournalismIsNotACrime.”

Threats to media freedom increasing day by day we are facing unannounced censorship my full support to @baqirsajjad#JournalismIsNotACrimehttps://t.co/9Qud3jAGaQ

— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) June 12, 2019

Former Daily Times Editor, Raza Rumi termed the incident most unfortunate and hoped that the director general of Inter-Services Public Relations will take notice and get the issue resolved.

Photo: Twitter (@baqirsajjad)