By Wadood Mehsud
KHYBER: The Mehsud Press Club in Upper South Waziristan strongly condemned the alleged harassment and assault of journalists from Bara Press Club in Khyber district, describing the incident as an attack on press freedom.
In a joint statement, Mehsud Press Club president Shehryar Mehsud and other office-bearers said the reported mistreatment of journalists while covering a protest was deeply regrettable and unacceptable.
They said journalists served as the eyes and voice of society, and any misconduct against them undermined democratic values and the constitutional guarantee of freedom of the press.
According to the press club, reports suggested that during the coverage of a protest in the Bara area of Khyber district, an officer of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and his team allegedly harassed four journalists from Bara Press Club. The journalists were reportedly threatened at gunpoint and subjected to physical intimidation.
The press club called on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and relevant police authorities to conduct an immediate, transparent and impartial investigation into the incident.
It demanded strict legal action against any officials found responsible, saying accountability was essential to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The statement also stressed that ensuring the safety of journalists while they perform their professional duties was the responsibility of the government and state institutions.
The Mehsud Press Club vowed to continue raising its voice on every forum to protect the rights of journalists and defend press freedom, saying the community would not remain silent over any injustice against members of the media.
