A Hafizabad court on November 29 confirmed the pre-arrest bails of six journalists accused of resisting police operations and allegedly aiding proclaimed offenders in fleeing the outhouse of former Member of National Assembly (MNA) Mehdi Hassan Bhatti. The journalists were ordered by the court to submit surety bonds of Rs50,000 each. Advocates Shah Nawaz Madni and Arshad Mehand represented them. Two of the eight journalists against who cases were registered — Amjad Pervez and Sheikh Javed — did not apply for bail.
The case relates to an incident on November 20, when Member of National Assembly (MNA) Aneeqa Mehdi Bhatti, daughter of former MNA Mehdi Hassan Bhatti, was scheduled to hold a press conference at her father’s residence. According to Dawn, the Hafizabad police reached the venue and “pushed the media persons out, refusing to allow them to attend the news conference.” A case was later registered against eight journalists.
According to the report, sources said they raided the venue on information that former MNA Shaukat Bhatti, a proclaimed offender, and other wanted individuals were present. Police alleged that the journalists, who included Amjad Parvez, Hafiz Azizur Rehman, Shahbaz Gul, Sheikh Javed, Asrar Shah, Javed Asad, Ehsanullah, and Shafaqat Wattoo, interfered with the operation and assisted in the escape of those sought by law enforcement.
Speaking to the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), Syed Asrar Hussain Shah of Capital TV said the journalists had been invited to cover the press conference when police unexpectedly raided the venue, stopping them from covering anything and confiscating their mobile phones and cameras, later returned. He said police filed an FIR against them claiming that journalists opened fire on police upon their entry. Refuting the allegations, Shah said, “How is that even possible? We are journalists and only had our equipment to cover the press conference, not weapons. Why would we fire on the police?”
Shafaqat Wattoo of K-21 News told PPF that the raid involved police storming the premises, climbing walls, and seizing microphones. He said that the FIR was filed against them by police without any basis and had claimed that journalists opened fire on them.
Sub-Inspector Mushtaq Hussain alleged that some journalists engage in activities beyond journalism. He noted that the case is under investigation, and no conclusive findings have been made.
The Lahore Press Club, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), and other press bodies have condemned the FIR and called for its immediate withdrawal.
