PFUJ flays attack on Newspaper office and torture of Editor in Mirpur AJK

Attack on Newspaper office and torture of a journalist have shocked the media community across Pakistan by fatal attempt of political workers in Mirpur Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists-PFUJ has condemned the brutal torture of Editor “Changari” Mirpur by activists of a political party. According to details, political workers of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) attacked the office of local newspaper in Mirpur AJK and destroyed the furniture and electronic equipments. Office was damaged and Mehmood Mirza Editor “Chnagri” Mirpur was dragged out from office to centre of busiest market in city and thrashed with sticks. Black ink was glued on the face of Mehmood Mirza. Assailants were threatening to kill him but local traders intervened to save the journalist life.
President PFUJ Afzal Butt has expressed shock and sorrow over the incident and termed it heinous act to intimidate journalists. “Azad Jammu and Kashmir is most peaceful area in Pakistan and journalists are respected widely but wave of violence has now triggered by local influential to snub media men with force. It is an open attempt to target the media person to bar him from his professional duties, it is indeed shocking and not acceptable at any cost, said Afzal Butt.
Police has registered an FIR case against culprits. President PFUJ has asked AJK government to take notice of brutality and provide justice to victim by immediate arrest of nominated persons. “Entire media community flays the act to target a journalist for his reporting during recent by election in area. It is simplest violence against Media and will not be tolerated, Police should arrest the culprits in earliest,” President Afzal has demanded.
Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists RIUJ has convened an emergency meeting to condemn the atrocity against local Editor of Newspaper. President RIUJ Ali Raza Alvi and General Secretary Bilal Dar have demanded the arrest of perpetrators of use of force against a journalist in AJK. They said such acts will not be tolerable, AJK government must act timely to avert such violent incidents in future and to discourage enemies of media and freedom of expression.
Source: PFUJ