(PPF/IFEX) – On 6 January 2009, Ahmad Faraz, a crime reporter for Pakistan’s leading television network “Geo News”, was assaulted by security personnel from the EME Society, which is governed by the Defence Housing Authority, in Lahore. The incident took place when journalists arrived at the EME Society’s main gate to provide coverage of police […]
(PPF/IFEX) – On 6 January 2009, Ahmad Faraz, a crime reporter for Pakistan’s leading television network “Geo News”, was assaulted by security personnel from the EME Society, which is governed by the Defence Housing Authority, in Lahore.
The incident took place when journalists arrived at the EME Society’s main gate to provide coverage of police activities at the house of a local doctor where three individuals involved in organised crime were killed during an armed robbery.
The security personnel tried to stop the journalists from entering the area. When the journalists insisted on going to the scene of the crime, the security personnel became abusive and then assaulted them with their rifle butts. They also snatched a camera from a cameraman who works for the local “City 42” television station.
Faraz told the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) that he sustained injuries to his ribs and head. He said he received 25 stitches in his head and an ear. He was admitted to the hospital but was subsequently released.
The head of the local police, Chaudhry Shafiq Ahmad, arrived at the scene of the incident and ordered the arrest of seven of the security guards.
