ISLAMABAD: Islamabad police stormed the cafeteria of the National Press Club (NPC) on Thursday and assaulted and roughed up journalists after allegedly mistaking them for protesters.
Witnesses said police personnel entered the premises as members of the Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) staged a demonstration outside the National Press Club.
The police personnel used batons against journalists in the cafeteria before retreating through the back gate as NPC members gathered.
The incident drew swift condemnation.
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Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi took notice and sought a report from the Islamabad police chief.
He ordered a departmental inquiry and directed action against officers involved.
“Violence against journalists will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” Naqvi said.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry also apologised unconditionally to the press club management and media fraternity.
“Freedom of the press is our top priority. The police should not have entered the NPC premises,” he said, adding that video evidence showed police were chasing JAAC protesters.
Earlier, NPC members denounced the attack, while journalists nationwide described the raid as shameful.
Rights group HRCP also condemned the assault, calling it a violation of press freedom and demanding accountability .
Renowned journalists, including Hamid Mir and Matiullah Jan, criticised the police action, saying security forces “behaved like thugs” and that the club — considered the symbolic home of journalists — was disrespected.
Authorities have promised an impartial probe into the incident.