Pakistan Press Foundation describes the assault against senior journalist Ayaz Amir as a reflection of the shrinking space for free expression in Pakistan.
This statement was originally published on pakistanpressfoundation.org on 2 July 2022.
Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) strongly condemns the violent attack on senior journalist Ayaz Amir. Such brazen acts of violence against journalists are unacceptable and continue to take place with impunity in Pakistan. The assault against Amir is a reflection of the shrinking space for free expression in the country and the consequences that journalists suffer for doing their job.
PPF urges the authorities to act without delay in ensuring the arrests of those behind this attack and that this continued trend of attacks on media personnel is challenged.
On July 1, the Dunya News senior analyst was assaulted by a group of men as he left his office in Lahore in the Punjab province. Speaking to Dunya News, Amir said that after he left following his programme, a car in a “very strange manner” blocked his car.
Recounting the incident, he said that after his car was blocked, a man who wore a mask took hold of the driver in Amir’s car, after which the journalist inquired who he was. At this moment, Amir said, two men approached him and attacked him. Describing the attack, he said these men punched him and dragged him onto the ground outside the car.
Amir said that the street was crowded so people gathered and eventually the suspects escaped the scene.
In pictures of the journalist following the attack, Amir shows visible signs of assault with his clothes torn.
While it remains unclear who was behind the attack, earlier the same day, Amir had addressed an event in which he had made references to the establishment.
Addressing the event attended by former prime minister Imran Khan, whom Amir also criticized in the speech, the journalist questioned Khan’s decision to give an extension to the army chief of the country.
Amir also said that the former premier had handed over Pakistan to proper dealers.
Following the attack on Amir, Khan condemned the assault. In a statement shared on Twitter, the former prime minister said: “I condemn in strongest terms the violence against senior journalist Ayaz Amir today in Lahore.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack. In his statement of condemnation, he added: “Such attacks on media persons are totally unacceptable. On my directions, the Punjab Chief Minister has ordered a high-level inquiry into the sad incident to bring perpetrators to justice.”
The Punjab inspector general of police has summoned a report of the incident from the capital city police officer (CCPO). The news report added that the CCPO has been told to make use of the security city cameras to identify the perpetrators and ensure their arrests.
