Staff Reporter
PESHAWAR
The Khyber Union of Journalists (KUJ) and Peshawar Press Club (PPC) have condemned the mishandling of reporters covering Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest near Kati Pahari bridge.
In a joint statement, KhUJ President Kashifuddin Syed, Peshawar Press Club President Arshad Aziz Malik, General Secretary Irfan Musazai, and KhUJ General Secretary Irshad Ali described the incident as an attack on press freedom and called for immediate action against those responsible.
The incident occurred when Jamil Mohmand and Khurram Jalil, reporters from Peshawar were covering a PTI protest at Katti Pahari bridge. According to reports, PTI workers accused the New News team of not providing sufficient coverage and labeled them as “slave media.”
Despite the journalists’ explanation that they had been covering the protest continuously, the workers assaulted them, throwing them to the ground and leaving both journalists seriously injured.
The KhUJ and Press Club leaders demanded the immediate arrest and punishment of those involved, warning that failure to act would lead to a complete boycott of PTI coverage, including province-wide protests.
The statement also urged the PTI leadership to take responsibility for the behavior of their supporters and to address the challenges faced by journalists while performing their duties.
The KhUJ and Peshawar Press Club reiterated their unwavering support for press freedom and called on the authorities to ensure the safety and security of media workers.
