Police beat up Express Tribune reporter

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 11 April 2015 |  JP Staff Reporter

The Express Tribune reporter Obaid Abbasi was beaten by police while covering a story at district courts in Islamabad. The incident has sparked calls for an investigation.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Police personnel Saturday thrashed The Express Tribune reporter Obaid Abbasi for taking photographs and interviewing prisoners at the district courts.

“I was interviewing some prisoners at Bakhshi Khana in F-8 district courts for my paper when some police personnel beat me up. They broke my cell phone and abused me,” Abbasi told JournalismPakistan.com.

A complaint of the incident has been filed with Margalla Police Station and Inspector General of Police Tahir Alam Khan has also taken notice.

“The IGP has called me to his office for reconciliation with the police officials but I think the police should investigate the matter first. I was thrashed while performing my duty and this is unfortunate,” Abbasi said.

Journalist unions have demanded a fair and immediate probe into the incident.

KEY POINTS:

• Obaid Abbasi was thrashed by police while interviewing prisoners.
• Police broke Abbasi's cell phone during the altercation.
• A complaint has been filed with Margalla Police Station.
• Inspector General of Police has taken notice of the incident.
• Journalist unions are demanding a fair investigation.