The Minister of State of the Interior, Talal Chaudhry, apologized on Friday by the attack against journalists in Islamabad yesterday, ensuring the media that the means will be taken to ensure that said incident does not happen again.
On Thursday, the Islamabad police carried out a raid at the National Press Club (NPC), where several journalists were supposedly attacked. Images emitted Dawnnewstv They showed police armed with canes attacking journalists at the facilities of the press club.
In addition, the images shared on social networks also showed the police dragging journalists of what the cafeteria seemed to be. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had ordered investigation into the incident.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad today, the Talal said that it apologizes for the incident on the name of the government. The State Minister was also accompanied by the Minister of Information. He condemned the incident, ensuring the media that the steps will be taken so that no one dares to “disrespect the press club” again.
“I went to the press club immediately and asked for an unconditional apology,” Chaudhry said. “Regardless of the deficiencies that have been, we have apologized and measures will be taken.”
When it comes to freedom of expression, journalists and the holiness of the press club, Chaudhry reiterated that “there can be no commitment.” He added that the administration of the press club and other interested parties will collectively make a decision and the corresponding action will be seen.
In May, the Annual Report of Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Freedom Network for 2025 said that Pakistan’s media are “standing at a crossroads in the midst of an existential threat and an increase in the restrictive environment, deteriorating occupational safety and safety, significant challenges for the professional integrity of the media and their professionals.”
Last year, Pakistan dropped two places in the World Freedom Index published by reporters without borders, with the country classifying 152 of 180 countries.
