Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) strongly condemns the violent attack on Bol News reporter Tayyab Baloch outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on September 8 during a media talk by Aleema Khan, the sister of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party founder Imran Khan. It is entirely unacceptable that the journalist was attacked for asking a question allegedly by party workers and incited by a party lawyer.
Alongside Baloch, other journalists present attempted to intervene but were also attacked.
Footage and photographs from the incident show Baloch on the ground being manhandled.
We reiterate the need for political parties to enforce a code of conduct for engaging with media professionals to prevent violence against journalists. Such codes of conduct should be implemented by top-level party leadership who can set the tone for engagements with the media. Political parties must actively discourage violent behavior by supporters towards the media and reflect their commitment to press freedom and media safety.
According to a criminal complaint (First Information Report) registered by Baloch at the Saddar Bairooni Police Station, Baloch said that around 3:55 pm on September 8, he was performing his professional duties along with several other journalists when Aleema Khan arrived for a media talk after a Toshakhana case hearing. According to Baloch, PTI lawyer Naeem Panjutha allegedly incited the situation and shouted that he[Baloch] should be “taught a lesson” for questioning Khan about her property. Following this, he said that three individuals grabbed him, and about 35 to 40 other individuals beat him. During the assault, his mobile phone was snatched and his microphone broken.
Other journalists present, including GNN’s Ijaz Ahmed and News One Faisal Hakeem, attempted to save him but were also attacked. Baloch alleged that the assault was not spontaneous but pre-planned. He stated that Aleema Khan had disliked his previous inquiries as a journalist about her property purchase in the United States and had spread “propaganda” against him, Ahmed, Kaleem, and KTN News Ghulam through her party workers on X and social media, sharing their photographs. According to Dawn, two suspects have been arrested, and raids are being carried out to arrest the other accused.
According to Dawn, Panjutha has termed the criminal complaint to be a fake case against Aleema Khan and himself.
Speaking to PPF, Baloch recounted the incident and emphasized the importance of freedom of expression and the right to ask questions as a journalist.
He shared that on September 2, Baloch had asked Aleema Khan questions about allegations related to her property dealings. This led to a confrontation, and despite Aleema Khan’s willingness to respond, her supporters and lawyers hadn’t allowed her to answer. After the incident, Baloch received screenshots from his followers, revealing that PTI workers were engaged in a propaganda campaign against him on official groups on X, threatening to teach him a lesson for asking questions.
On September 8, when Aleema Khan held a press conference outside the Adiala Jail, Baloch attempted to ask her about the PTI supporters’ behavior towards him, but before Aleema Khan could respond, he was attacked.
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), led by President Rana Muhammad Azeem and Secretary General Shakeel Anjum, condemned the assault as an unconstitutional and illegal act intended to suppress the voices of journalists. They warned that nationwide protests would follow if such practices continue.
Another faction of PFUJ announced a series of protest demonstrations against the attack. The Rawalpindi/Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) President Tariq Aslam and General Secretary Rizwan Ghilzai declared the attack a serious assault on press freedom, stressing that no restrictions on journalism will be tolerated.
A protest will be staged on September 9 in front of the National Press Club under the joint banner of the RIUJ and the National Press Club. If PTI leadership fails to apologize, a second protest will be held on Wednesday, September 10, outside the Rawalpindi Press Club at Liaquat Bagh. In the absence of an apology, even after these demonstrations, a large-scale demonstration will be organized outside Adiala Jail, followed by a nationwide call for protests.
National Press Club President Azhar Jatoi and Secretary Nayer Ali also condemned the attack, declaring it an attack on press freedom, and urged all journalists to stand in solidarity by actively joining the upcoming demonstrations.
Karachi Press Club President Fazil Jamili described the incident as both “unfortunate and condemnable,” adding that unless political parties actively discourage such trends, attacks on journalists will persist.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had condemned the incident, stating that Baloch was targeted “solely and only because of a difference of opinion,” which he termed unacceptable. He pledged strict action and assured full support to the journalist community.
Leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), including Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Nadeem Afzal Chan, and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, also denounced the incident and called for accountability of all those involved.
