Police storm Islamabad press club, beat journalists as govt orders probe

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi took notice of the incident at the National Press Club (NPC) in Islamabad, where personnel of the Capital police stormed the premises, vandalised the cafeteria, and assaulted journalists after reportedly mistaking them for protesters.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred when a protest outside the NPC over the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) was being dispersed. Some demonstrators entered the press club compound, prompting police to follow them inside. Witnesses said police began baton-charging the protesters, and when journalists attempted to record the incident, they too were subjected to violence.

At least two photographers and three staff members of the press club were injured. CCTV footage from the press club shows uniformed officers vandalising property inside the cafeteria and using force against journalists and staff. Cameras, mobile phones and other equipment belonging to journalists were allegedly smashed.

Videos of the police baton charge and assault on journalists inside the Press Club quickly went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage. Senior journalists condemned the incident, calling it a blatant attack on press freedom.

Interior minister took the notice of the incident and ordered an investigation which saw widespread outrage. He also sought a report from the Inspector General of Islamabad Police, stating that violence against members of the journalist community would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Naqvi also directed to take disciplinary action against the personnel involved in the incident.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, issued an unconditional apology on behalf of the government and Islamabad police after the unfortunate incident.

Speaking directly to members of the press at the National Press Club, Chaudhry condemned the police action and clarified that he had been sent by Interior Minister Naqvi immediately after the incident came to light.

“As soon as I was informed, I strongly condemned what happened and came here on the interior minister’s instructions,” Chaudhry said. “I sincerely apologize to all journalists for this unfortunate and unexpected incident.”

According to Chaudhry, a few protestors allegedly mishandled police officers during the demonstration. In response, police attempted to arrest them and pursued them to the premises of the Press Club, where the confrontation with journalists unfolded.

Chaudhry stated that an internal inquiry into the incident has already been ordered by interior minister, emphasizing the government’s commitment to accountability.

“I once again condemn the incident. On behalf of the Ministry of Interior and Islamabad Police, I offer our deepest apologies,” he said. “I hope my presence here and this apology are accepted in good faith.”

Addressing the press community, Chaudhry assured them that the government would fully respect and accept any decision made by the journalists in response to the incident.

“We stand for freedom of expression,” he added. “It is because of your voices that our message reaches the public. I apologize to all journalist representatives present.”

Press clubs to observe ‘Black Day’ across Pakistan

Chaudhry’s apology did little to calm the outrage as within hours, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ), and the National Press Club (NPC) leadership convened an emergency meeting and staged a strong protest outside the premises.

PFUJ President Afzal Butt declared that Friday would be observed nationwide as “Black Day,” with black flags raised at all press clubs across Pakistan and protest rallies held countrywide.

“Today is one of the darkest days in Pakistan’s history,” Butt told reporters. “The National Press Club is the second home for over 3,500 journalists. Its sanctity has been violated, and its members beaten. This was not just an attack on a building but an attack on press freedom itself.”

Journalist leaders likened the raid to a breach of a universal principle: that press clubs, like courtrooms and lawyers’ chambers, are protected spaces where law enforcement cannot forcibly enter to make arrests. They vowed to ensure that this would be the “last such attack in history” and pledged to resist any future attempts to intimidate or suppress the media.

NPC Secretary Nayyar Ali condemned the police for manhandling press club officials and staff, calling the raid “unprecedented and intolerable.” He noted that in the past, even if a wanted individual entered the premises, police would wait outside or coordinate with press club management rather than storming in.

Journalist organisations across Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and other cities also expressed solidarity, with Lahore Press Club officials staging a parallel demonstration. Political parties from across the spectrum reportedly contacted journalist bodies to denounce the attack.

RIUJ President Tariq Ali termed the incident “an assault on Pakistan’s largest forum for press freedom” and accused Islamabad Police of crossing all limits. He vowed that journalists would finalise a strategy to ensure accountability and prevent such “state-sponsored thuggery” in the future.

‘An act of terrorism’: Journalist bodies condemn police raid

The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors, PFUJ, and Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors have strongly condemned the police raid on the Islamabad Press Club and the assault on journalists, terming the incident “an act of terrorism.”

In a joint statement issued Thursday, the organisations demanded immediate action against those responsible for the attack, warning that the incident was part of a growing pattern of violence and intimidation against media workers in Pakistan.

The groups criticised recent government advertisements under the slogan “Kya aapne socha hai ab jang ki surat kya hai?” (“Have you thought what war would look like now?”), which they said used threatening language and attempted to brand reporters, freelancers, and civil society organisations as “anti-state actors.”

“The purpose of such campaigns is to malign journalists, pressure them into silence, and curb freedom of expression,” the statement said, urging the government to immediately withdraw the ads.

The journalist bodies stressed that the media had consistently upheld national interest and protected the country’s ideological frontiers during times of conflict. Equating reporters and freelancers with terrorists, they said, was a direct violation of the principles of press freedom.

They also pointed out that the Pakistani Constitution guarantees citizens unrestricted access to information, and that responsible journalism has always prioritised national security while ensuring the public’s right to know.

The statement further criticised the “arbitrary misuse” of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, noting that dozens of journalists across the country currently face cases under the law. “The PECA Act is being used to stifle dissent, suppress critics of the government, and undermine freedom of expression,” it said.

While reaffirming their rejection of fake news and disinformation, the organisations said creating an atmosphere of fear and harassment under the guise of tackling misinformation was unacceptable. “Such tactics will be resisted at every level,” the statement declared, adding that journalist bodies would pursue all constitutional and legal avenues to defend press freedom.

Echoing similar sentiments, the Karachi Union of Journalists has also condemned the police crackdown on the National Press Club and the assault on journalists by Islamabad police, demanding an immediate inquiry and that those responsible be held accountable.

In a statement, KUJ President Tahir Hasan Khan and General Secretary Liaquat Kashmiri described the police action as a blatant attack on press freedom.

The statement further emphasised that such police conduct is unacceptable and called on the government to take strict action against those involved. It also urged authorities to ensure the safety and security of journalists and press clubs across the country.

Separately, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan denounced the raid, expressing deep concern over the use of force against journalists. In a statement, the rights body demanded an immediate inquiry and accountability for those responsible.