On 27 May 1996, two photographers were assaulted by police officers as they were covering a religious procession commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson of the prophet Mohammed. Shoaib Ahmed of Urdu-language daily “Jang” and Saeed Qureshi of the Urdu-language daily “Awam” were covering the procession when the officers asked them to […]
On 27 May 1996, two photographers were assaulted by police
officers as they were covering a religious procession
commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson
of the prophet Mohammed. Shoaib Ahmed of Urdu-language daily
“Jang” and Saeed Qureshi of the Urdu-language daily “Awam” were
covering the procession when the officers asked them to move
away. The photographers then produced their identity cards, but
the officers proceeded to push and verbally abuse them. When they
protested, the officers beat them, damaging their cameras in the
process. Ahmed and Qureshi were later taken to a nearby hospital
for treatment.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
Qureshi, pointing out that the incident constitutes an attack on
press freedom
responsible are punished
the government’s failure to initiate appropriate action against
police officers involved in earlier incidents of violence against
the press
Appeals To
Her Excellency Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto
Office of the Prime Minister
Islamabad, Pakistan
Fax: +92 51 821 574 or via Ministry of Education +92 51 825 835
His Excellency President Farooq Ahmad Ken Leghari
Office of the President
Constitution Avenue
Islamabad, Pakistan
Fax: +92 51 811 390/+92 51 816 060 69
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
