PFUJ condemns violence against 92 News reporter by PTI supporters

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 23 April 2022

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists has condemned the attack on 92 News reporter Khawar Mughal by PTI workers in Lahore. They demand accountability from PTI leadership and immediate action against the culprits.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the fascist tactics of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers against journalists covering the party's public gathering on Thursday in Lahore.

In a statement issued on Friday, President PFUJ Shahzada Zulfiqar and Secretary-General Nasir Zaidi said that the party workers thrashed reporter Khawar Mughal of 92 News TV for merely performing his duties. The attackers also hurled abuses at the reporter besides torturing him and snatching away the TV channel logo.

PFUJ leaders observed that this was not an isolated incident. Some workers of PTI had earlier abused senior journalist Nasrullah Malik of Neo News who was covering a PTI rally. Some party activists displayed a banner against anchor Gharidah Farooqi which amounts to carrying out her character assassination. "It is disturbing that the top leadership of the PTI has not condemned these incidents. They seem to be turning a blind eye to such offensive actions which pose a great threat to working journalists."

The two leaders of the union demanded that former Prime Minister Imran Khan immediately take action against those involved in attacking journalists and displaying banners against Gharidah. They also urged the Punjab government to arrest the culprits and bring them to justice.

Photo courtesy: Geo.tv

KEY POINTS:

• PFUJ condemns PTI supporters' violence against journalists.
• Khawar Mughal was attacked for performing his duties during a PTI event.
• Previous incidents of harassment against journalists are noted.
• PFUJ urges Imran Khan to take action against the attackers.
• The Punjab government is called to arrest those responsible.