Journalists Protest Against Police Mistreatment of RIUJ President Tariq Ali Warraich, Demand Swift Action Against Responsible SHO
The journalist community in Rawalpindi and Islamabad has staged a major protest after police allegedly detained and mistreated Tariq Ali Warraich, President of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ). Journalists have issued a 24-hour ultimatum for legal action against the involved Station House Officer (SHO), warning that if their demands are not met, they will launch an indefinite sit-in outside the City Police Officer’s (CPO) office.
Following the incident, journalists from across the twin cities convened a consultative meeting at the Rawalpindi Press Club. The meeting was attended by prominent figures, including Afzal Butt, President of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), RIUJ President Tariq Ali Warraich, RIUJ General Secretary Asif Bashir Chaudhry, National Press Club President Azhar Jatoi, National Press Club Secretary Nayer Ali, alongside numerous photojournalists, cameramen, and representatives of social organizations.
The protestors organized a rally from the Rawalpindi Press Club’s camp office to Murree Road, voicing strong slogans against police brutality and condemning the mistreatment of journalists. The demonstrators also expressed serious anger towards the Punjab government and the district administration for their handling of the matter.
Speaking at the protest, several senior journalists and union leaders, including Afzal Butt, Tariq Ali Warraich, Asif Bashir Chaudhry, Azhar Jatoi, and former RIUJ and National Press Club presidents, condemned the “unlawful detention and misconduct” against Tariq Ali Warraich, calling it both reprehensible and intolerable. They demanded the immediate suspension and arrest of the responsible SHO, stressing that journalists would not tolerate such incidents and demanding that the law take its course.
PFUJ President Afzal Butt warned that attacks and police excesses against journalists would not be accepted under any circumstances. He emphasized, “Tariq Ali Warraich is our red line. If urgent action is not taken, journalists across the country will take to the streets.” The union leaders declared that if the Punjab government and Rawalpindi district administration failed to satisfy their demands within 24 hours, journalists would stage a protest outside the CPO office and would not end their demonstration until justice is served.
Journalists from adjoining regions—Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and other areas—have also expressed their support, and many have joined in solidarity. The protest organizers said they had already given the authorities four days to act, but no progress or official response was received, leaving them no option but to escalate their protest.
Other speakers highlighted that actions taken by the police against journalists were unacceptable and that the community would defend its constitutional and legal rights at all costs. Stressing police accountability, they noted that any breach of the law by law enforcement officers would be firmly challenged.
A large number of journalists participated in the protest, including past and current office-bearers of the RIUJ and the National Press Club, as well as other senior journalists, showing unity with Tariq Ali Warraich and strongly condemning the incident. The community has made it clear that unless immediate corrective measures are taken, their protests will intensify and continue until their demands are met.
