A case registered against Samaa TV reporter Zulfiqar Haider and his cameraman in Gujrat has sparked widespread protests among journalists, highlighting issues of press freedom and alleged police bias.
The incident unfolded when Zulfiqar Haider and his team were investigating allegations of corruption within the Gujrat Health Department. The situation turned violent when Health CEO Dr. Atta Munim and DHO Dr. Aitzaz, along with sanitary inspectors, allegedly attacked Haider and the cameraman.
According to reports, they were beaten up, their camera was attempted to be snatched, and the journalists were locked in a room. After making multiple calls to the police, they were eventually rescued, though their ordeal didn’t end there.
The situation escalated when the police, seemingly showing partiality towards the health department officials, registered a case against the journalists based on a complaint filed by the Health CEO. Despite the journalists’ request to file a case against the health department staff involved in the detention, no action was taken within the following two days.
The situation worsened when three journalists were removed from the list of those involved in the case, while the bogus charges against Haider and the cameraman remained unaddressed.
In response to the injustice, the journalist community in Gujrat has launched a series of protests. A consultation meeting and demonstration were held at the Gujrat Press Club, where journalists voiced their demand for the immediate dismissal of the bogus case against Haider and his cameraman. They also called for the registration of a case against the health department staff for illegally detaining the journalists.
Furthermore, the journalist community has demanded the expulsion of Health CEO Dr. Atta Munim and DHO Dr. Aitzaz from the district, calling their actions a direct violation of journalistic rights. In solidarity, journalists have announced a boycott of coverage related to the district administration and police activities until their demands are met.
