PRA Walks Out of Senate Press Gallery in Protest Against Police Mistreatment of Journalist Tariq Virk

PRA Walks Out of Senate Press Gallery in Protest Against Police Mistreatment of Journalist Tariq Virk

Islambad: The Parliamentary Reporters Association (PRA) of Pakistan staged a strong protest during a Senate session, walking out of the press gallery to condemn the mistreatment and unlawful detention of senior journalist Tariq Virk by Rawalpindi police. The incident, involving abusive behavior by New Town Police officers, has sparked nationwide outrage within the journalistic community and prompted the Senate Chairman to refer the matter to the Senate Standing Committee on Interior.

The protest unfolded during a live Senate session, with parliamentary reporters boycotting coverage and exiting the press gallery in solidarity with Tariq Virk. The incident that triggered the protest involved alleged manhandling, harassment, and illegal confinement of the journalist by Punjab police in Rawalpindi. PRA Secretary Naveed Akbar briefed several senators who visited the press gallery, including Irfan Siddiqui, Nasir Butt, Abdul Qadir, and Faisal Saleem, sharing disturbing details of the incident and calling it an unacceptable assault on press freedom.

The PRA stressed that such behavior by police, grounded in intimidation and lawlessness, cannot be overlooked. Journalists’ representatives expressed deep concern that despite Tariq Virk’s reputation as a respected and soft-spoken professional, no formal notice or action had been taken against the officers involved.

Minister of State Talal Chaudhry initially resisted moving the matter to the committee, suggesting a few days’ time for Punjab authorities to resolve the issue. However, the PRA’s firm stance, supported by multiple senators, led the Senate Chairman to eventually assign the case to the Committee on Interior for investigation.

In emotionally charged remarks, PRA President Usman Khan condemned the police’s behavior, warning that the journalistic community has faced down military dictators and repressive governments before—and no police officer is above accountability. “A single stroke of the pen can counter any baton,” he said, adding that the Constitution grants the same dignity to journalists that it affords to those in uniform.

Former PRA leaders, including Asghar Chaudhry, Behzad Saleemi, MB Soomro, Ali Sher, Zafar Hashmi, and Sohail Khan also spoke during the protest, vowing to stand united against any threats to media independence. The Senate delegation assured journalists of their full support in ensuring justice.

This protest has reignited national conversation on press freedom and the conduct of law enforcement agencies, with calls growing louder for the Chief Minister of Punjab to hold rogue officers accountable. Tariq Ali Virk, President of the Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists, has also thrown his weight behind the movement, demanding immediate disciplinary action.