Supporters of the Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) parties vandalised the premises of Geo TV, as well as "The News" and Pakistan's daily newspaper with the largest circulation, "Jang".
Activists of two political parties once again attacked the offices of Geo television network on the night of September 7, 2014. No one was injured in the attack.
According to press reports, protesters belonging to Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) vandalised the premises of Geo TV, as well as The News and Pakistan’s largest circulated daily newspaper Jang. They smashed the windscreens of vehicles belonging to staff that were parked at the site, and also damaged the security wall before entering the premises.
According to The News since the sit-ins of the PTI and PAT began in Islamabad on August 14, the Geo team has been attacked many times. The Geo/Jang building came under attack at least 20 times during one week as assailants pelted stones, broke windows and damaged vehicles in the parking lot. A female reporter was also threatened by some participants of the sit-in while another reporter’s microphone was snatched during the coverage.
Afzal Butt, President of one faction of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), condemned the incident and said if the police failed to provide security, then journalists, themselves, will protect their colleagues. He said journalists also have the right to seek an apology from [PTI Chairman] Imran Khan and [PAT leader] Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri for the attack on the Geo News office and the harassment of journalists, workers and staff members of Geo News, The News and Jang.
Ameen Yousuf, General Secretary of the other PFUJ faction, also strongly condemned the incident and said such violent acts should be stopped and adequate security be provided to media.
