**Pakistani Parliamentary Reporters Stage Walkout Over Journalist’s Detention, Calling for Accountability and Press Freedom**
The Parliamentary Reporters Association (PRA) of Pakistan staged a dramatic walkout from the Senate press gallery in protest against the alleged manhandling and unlawful detention of senior journalist Tariq Work by Rawalpindi police. The incident has ignited widespread concern across Pakistan’s journalist community, with renewed demands for press freedom and legal accountability for law enforcement officers involved in abuse.
During a live Senate session, parliamentary reporters suspended coverage and exited the press gallery after reports surfaced of Tariq Work’s mistreatment at the hands of New Town Police in Rawalpindi. According to PRA officials, police officers subjected Work to harassment, intimidation, and illegal confinement—actions widely denounced as a blatant violation of press freedom.
PRA Secretary Naveed Akbar briefed several senators, including Irfan Siddiqui, Nasir Butt, Abdul Qadir, and Faisal Saleem, on the details of the incident. Akbar emphasized that the treatment of Tariq Work, a well-respected and soft-spoken journalist, reflects broader concerns about the unchecked authority of the police and the lack of immediate accountability measures in such cases.
Refusing to overlook what they termed an “unacceptable assault” on press independence, PRA representatives condemned both the incident itself and the apparent inaction of authorities. They called for swift and transparent measures to hold the responsible officers to account.
The protest also prompted an intensive debate in the Senate. While Minister of State Talal Chaudhry initially advocated for allowing Punjab authorities a few days to resolve the matter without Senate intervention, the unified and determined stance of reporters—supported by multiple senators—ultimately shifted the position. The Senate Chairman referred the case to the Senate Standing Committee on Interior for further investigation.
In emotional remarks during the protest, PRA President Usman Khan declared that Pakistan’s journalists have a longstanding legacy of standing up to repression—whether by military dictatorships or other authorities. He stressed that the dignity and rights of journalists are protected by the Constitution, asserting, “A single stroke of the pen can counter any baton,” and warning that no law enforcement officer is above the law.
Former PRA presidents and senior journalists, including Asghar Chaudhry, Behzad Saleemi, MB Soomro, Ali Sher, Zafar Hashmi, and Sohail Khan, voiced their determination to safeguard media independence. Senators present during the protest assured the reporters of their full backing in pursuit of justice for Tariq Work.
The protest has revitalized national debate on press freedom and the behavior of law enforcement in Pakistan. Calls are growing for the Chief Minister of Punjab to take decisive action against the officers involved. Tariq Ali Cirk, President of the Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists, also lent his support, demanding immediate disciplinary proceedings and institutional reforms to prevent future incidents.
This episode highlights the ongoing struggle faced by journalists in Pakistan and underscores the need for robust protections for media workers operating in the country.
