PFUJ condemns violence against journalists, demands release of detained reporter

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 6 October 2024 |  Media Release

The PFUJ has condemned the violence faced by journalists during a PTI protest and called for the immediate release of detained reporter Faizan Hussain. They criticized the ongoing hostility towards media personnel and emphasized the need for accountability.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the violence against media personnel during a PTI protest on Saturday and demanded the immediate release of detained journalist Faizan Hussain.

In a statement, PFUJ President Afzal Butt and Secretary General Arshad Ansari criticized PTI for continuing its pattern of hostility towards journalists. "It is disheartening that journalists are exerting their efforts to provide objective coverage of PTI events, yet they are met with harassment and intimidation by the party," the PFUJ leaders stated.

They further observed that the mistreatment of media personnel is a disturbing trend shared by both the government and political parties. "On one side, PTI targets journalists with violence and harassment, and on the other, the government unjustly detains Faizan Hussain, accusing him of political affiliations."

The PFUJ emphasized that Faizan Hussain is a respected senior journalist and former secretary general of the Khyber Union of Journalists with no political associations.

The PFUJ leaders demanded Hussain's immediate release and called for the arrest of those responsible for the violence against journalists. "If PTI does not revise its stance on media, it may face a boycott from the journalist community. We also urge the government to release Faizan Hussain immediately, or we will have no choice but to organize nationwide protests," they warned.

Photo: Reuters