Journalists Protest Police Misconduct Towards RIUJ President, Demand Immediate Action
Journalists in Rawalpindi and Islamabad staged a major protest following the alleged unlawful detention and mistreatment of Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) President Tariq Ali Virk, by the New Town Police Station’s Station House Officer (SHO). The journalist community has issued a 24-hour ultimatum, calling for strict action against the responsible police official, and warned of indefinite demonstrations outside the City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi’s office if their demands are not met.
The incident sparked outrage among media professionals, who gathered at the Rawalpindi Press Club for an emergency meeting and later held a protest march from the Press Club’s camp office to Murree Road. Participants included representatives from the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), National Press Club, officials from various journalist organizations, cameramen, photojournalists, and representatives of civil society organizations. The protesters voiced strong slogans against police brutality and condemned the actions of the Punjab government and district administration.
Speaking at the demonstration, PFUJ President Afzal Butt, RIUJ President Tariq Ali , General Secretary Asif Bashir Chaudhry, National Press Club President Azhar Jatoi, Secretary Naeer Ali, and several senior journalists, including former RIUJ presidents and media veterans, condemned the police’s actions as reprehensible and unacceptable. They asserted that Tariq Ali Warak’s mistreatment and illegal detention crossed a red line for the journalist community.
Leaders emphasized that the community’s response was not driven by emotion but by principle, demanding the immediate suspension and arrest of the responsible SHO. PFUJ President Afzal Butt warned that if authorities did not take prompt notice, journalists nationwide would mobilize. He stated that the community would stage a sit-in outside the CPO’s office and continue protest action until their demands are met.
Journalist representatives from different regions, including the twin cities, Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab, pledged solidarity. They criticized the authorities for ignoring journalists’ repeated appeals over several days and declared they had no choice but to protest on the streets for their rights.
The speakers stressed that the actions of the police were completely unacceptable and assured that journalists’ constitutional and legal rights would be vigorously defended. They reiterated that police officers are bound by law, and any departure from their legal duties would result in calls for accountability.
The protest saw high participation, with numerous journalists expressing solidarity with Tariq Ali Virk and strongly condemning the incident. Notable attendees included former National Press Club President Anwar Raza, senior RIUJ office-bearers, and many established journalists from the electronic and print media.
The journalist community’s unified stand signals ongoing tensions with local authorities, as they vow to maintain pressure until legal action is taken against the responsible police officials and their demands for justice are addressed.
