Police raid National Press Club in Islamabad to arrest protesters, Naqvi takes notice, seeks report from IG

The Federal police personnel entered the National Press Club in Islamabad to arrest protesters.

According to details surfaced on Thursday, the police used force against journalists and caused damage in the cafeteria. Journalists were detained on suspicion of involvement in the protests. When members of the Press Club assembled, the police exited through the back door.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has taken notice of police raid at National Press Club in Islamabad and has sought an immediate report from the IG Islamabad Police. 

The Interior Minister, while ordering an investigation into the incident, made it clear that violence against the journalist community will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Mohsin Naqvi directed that the officials involved in the incident be identified and disciplinary action be taken against them.

Earlier, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Thursday issued a condemnation over the assault on journalists by Islamabad police at the National Press Club. HRCP strongly condemns the raid on the National Press Club and [the] assault on journalists by the Islamabad police,” the rights group wrote in a post on X. “We demand an immediate inquiry and those responsible brought to book.” 

Visuals aired on various TV channel policemen attacking journalists on the press club premises. Journalists across the country condemned the incident, calling it shameful and claiming that police acted like thugs.