BELGIUM: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has said that it stood with its affiliate Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) to strongly criticize the attack by a group of lawyers on Channel 24 News‘ two reporters (Mohammad Tayyab, Ali Raza)  in Faisalabad on Tuesday 23rd July (2019) and demanded immediate arrest & punishment of the perpetrators.

According to details the two journalists were picked up by a group of lawyers and taken to an undisclosed location, where they were then brutally beaten-up by the group. The attack comes as the Press Freedom situation in Pakistan continues to worsen. Journalists are facing physical assault, online threats, and intimidation or legal prosecution, and silenced with impunity.

PFUJ’s President GM Jamali in its statement said that media has always stood on the side of justice and supported the lawyers’ movement for the restoration of judiciary back in 2007. Yet the media is still tortured by the protector of the law. It has indicated the bad day for democracy in Pakistan.

“PFUJ appeals to the President of Supreme Bar Council take notice of the attack on reporters of 24 News Channel and the immediate action should be taken against the lawyers who are responsible of the attack. PFUJ also asks the government to take notice of this incident and ensure that journalists are protected while doing their duty. We reiterate that journalism is not a crime,” PFUJ statement maintained. 

The IFJ said: “Physically attacking media personnel is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. We demand the authorities to bring the lawyers who attacked journalists to justice. Without accountability for attacks of journalists, media freedom in Pakistan will remain under threat.”