On 17 September 2012 three journalists were injured at the Press Club in Wari, in north-western Pakistan, when a group of people protesting the “Innocence of Muslims” vide set fire to the club building, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
On 17 September 2012 three journalists were injured at the Press Club in Wari, in north-western Pakistan, when a group of people protesting the “Innocence of Muslims” video set fire to the club building, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Jamil Roghani of the Daily Mashriq, Idress of Khyber News TV and Bahadur Khan of the Daily Wahdat were beaten by the protesters, who stormed the press club’s main entrance and then set fire to four rooms. Police officers nearby did nothing to stop the protesters.
“We condemn such acts of violence against journalists and the premises they use,” said RSF. “The security forces must have an active presence at demonstrations to ensure that they do not turn violent, and must intervene when people are in danger.”
On 19 September 2012 the Daily Times newspaper office in Karachi was also attacked by demonstrators protesting the anti-Islamic film, reports the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF). The protesters, who opened fire outside the office and then stormed inside, were part of an action organised by the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami, reports RSF. The attack left the outlet’s windows shattered and with damage to the roof, but there were no personal injuries. PPF also mentioned that the staff from the newspaper have called on the government to investigate the incident and punish those responsible.
According to RSF, the Daily Times is one of the country’s best known liberal newspapers that often covers sensitive issues such as efforts to combat terrorism. They also report that in a similar demonstration on 16 September in Karachi, protestors broke the windows of a number of vehicles belonging to TV stations.
