Police brutality at Rawalpindi’s New Town police station has triggered widespread outrage, following the unlawful detention and assault of Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) President Tariq Ali Virk. The shocking incident underscored long-standing concerns over police accountability, abuses of power, and threats to freedom of the press in the Punjab region, prompting sharp condemnation from journalistic bodies and civil society representatives.
The troubling episode began when a local journalist visited the New Town police station to formally submit a legal application concerning an internal issue. Eyewitness reports indicated that police personnel, reportedly led by Station House Officer (SHO) Tayyab Baig, abruptly interfered, instigating a confrontation over a minor matter. As tensions rose, the journalist was allegedly subjected to verbal threats and physical mistreatment.
In response, RIUJ President Tariq Ali Virk personally arrived at the station seeking dialogue, clarification, and resolution. Initially involved in a discussion with police officials, Virk was suddenly assaulted, forcibly dragged away by officers, stripped of his personal items, locked in a cell, and abused verbally. Eyewitness accounts clearly describe this as an act of intentional intimidation and violence, rather than any sort of procedural confusion.
Videos capturing parts of the confrontation confirm that the assault on Virk was unprovoked and deliberate. During the incident, SHO Tayyab Baig was reportedly heard taunting Virk, stating mockingly, “Let’s see how big of a President he is—we’ve seen many.” Observers have denounced these remarks, including threats directed toward outside protestors who rallied against the detention, as evidence of police arrogance and institutional impunity.
Condemning the actions strongly, RIUJ Joint Secretary and senior journalist Gulzar Khan described the violence as an attack against all journalists and an assault upon freedom of expression. Khan emphasized that such incidents cannot be viewed as isolated episodes but rather part of a broader pattern of hostility from authorities toward media professionals in Pakistan—especially Punjab.
Despite immediate attempts by RIUJ leaders to secure Virk’s prompt release, including appeals to senior police officers and the City Police Officer (CPO), authorities offered no immediate relief or supportive response. Eventually, after hours of detention lasting until early morning, Virk was set free along with another detained journalist, Naeem Minhas, who was released on personal surety.
Following widespread backlash, the Inspector General (IG) Punjab has initiated an inquiry, instructing that two junior officers involved be temporarily removed from duty pending investigation. Yet notably, SHO Tayyab Baig, seen as the primary perpetrator by eyewitnesses, was absent from the official police release, leading many to suspect an attempt at covering up responsibility at the senior level.
Journalist leader Gulzar Khan has demanded swift disciplinary action against the SHO, calling for his immediate removal from office and arrest. Emphasizing the seriousness of the situation, Khan remarked, “If the police can humiliate a Media Union President inside a police station, imagine what they’re doing to ordinary citizens. We will not let this incident pass quietly.”
In light of this distressing affair, the region’s journalist unions and civil society activists have pledged continued advocacy for justice, accountability, transparency, police reform, and safeguarding of freedom of the press. Until those responsible—especially senior command officials like SHO Tayyab Baig—are held properly accountable, protests, legal challenges, and institutional interventions by journalists and rights advocates will persist.
