Lawmakers Demand Swift Action Against Punjab Police Officer in Journalist Assault Case
In a rare display of unity across party lines, members of Pakistan’s Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting condemned the alleged assault and unlawful detention of a journalist by a Punjab police officer, describing the incident as an attack on press freedom and a stark failure of governance. The committee, chaired by Senator Syed Ali Zafar, called for the immediate suspension of the accused Station House Officer (SHO) and demanded accountability from Punjab police leadership.
The controversy was triggered after Senator Irfan-ul-Haque Siddiqui highlighted a recent incident in Rawalpindi, where a journalist and union leader was reportedly assaulted and held for eight hours without formal charges. The Parliamentary Reporters Association President, Usman Khan, reinforced the allegations at the session, criticizing the Punjab police for repeated misconduct and accusing the provincial government of protecting those involved. Khan rejected offers of reconciliation from Rawalpindi police as attempts to quell public outrage rather than deliver genuine justice.
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar attended the session and offered an unconditional apology on behalf of both federal and Punjab governments. He stated that he had engaged with the Inspector General, City Police Officer, and Regional Police Officer regarding the case, but acknowledged that discussions had reached an impasse. The minister proposed the formation of a sub-committee to further investigate the matter.
The committee members, however, dismissed the idea of a sub-committee and expressed deep dissatisfaction over the absence of the summoned Punjab police officials. They warned against bureaucratic delays and procedural stalling, insisting that the Senate committee’s authority must be respected. Senator Pervaiz Rashid and others emphasized that timely justice was essential and that procedural distractions could not be used as an excuse for inaction.
Concluding the session, Senator Zafar announced the committee’s unanimous decision: the accused SHO should be immediately suspended while a thorough inquiry is conducted. Furthermore, the City Police Officer, Regional Police Officer, and the SHO himself have been ordered to appear before the committee at its next session. The Information Minister has been instructed to ensure the Punjab government enforces these decisions and cooperates fully with the committee’s directives.
