Islamabad Police raid: National Press Club issues Charter of Demands for justice and accountability

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 2 months ago |  JP Staff Report

ISLAMABAD — The National Press Club (NPC) has issued a comprehensive Charter of Demands following the October 2 police raid on its premises, calling for a transparent inquiry, legal accountability, and concrete measures to safeguard press freedom and journalists’ rights. 

Police stormed the NPC, assaulting journalists and damaging media equipment while attempting to disperse a protest organized by activists of the Awami Action Committee of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The NPC’s Joint Action Committee (JAC) formally presented the Charter of Demands to the Ministry of Interior, urging the immediate formation of a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the incident. The committee, the NPC said, should submit a detailed report within four days, identifying those responsible for the violence and assessing the damages incurred.

“The inquiry committee should determine the losses of reporters, video journalists, and photographers who were victims of the violence by Islamabad police personnel and ensure redress,” the NPC stated. “After receiving the Charter of Demand from the NPC JAC, the Ministry of Interior should issue a notification of the inquiry committee within 24 hours and submit a report within four days.”

The Charter also called for a mandatory requirement that law enforcement agencies obtain prior permission before entering any press club premises. Additionally, the NPC demanded a formal notification guaranteeing the safety and sanctity of press clubs and media institutions.

Emphasizing the need to strengthen institutional protections, the NPC urged the government to activate the long-dormant Journalists Protection Commission, which has been inactive for four years, within two weeks. It also called for a parliamentary resolution reaffirming the independence of press clubs and journalist unions.

The NPC pointed out that the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act includes several provisions designed to ensure the safety of media workers. However, despite being enacted four years ago, the commission mandated under the law has yet to be established, leaving journalists without critical protections.

The press club reiterated its demand for the immediate reactivation of the law, the operationalization of the commission within two weeks, and comprehensive guarantees for the safety of all press clubs nationwide in line with the Act’s terms of reference.