Islamabad: (PPF) On August 22, a group of baton-wielding men allegedly led by Noor Mohammad, brother of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Nek Mohammad, attacked the Miranshah District Press Club in North Waziristan, damaging property, intimidating journalists and injuring two policemen stationed at the entrance.

According to the report, the attackers attempted to force their way into the press club, resulting in an altercation with security personnel.

In a press release, the Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) condemned the attack on the press club, sharing that the brother of the ruling political party’s MPA, accompanied by party workers, forcibly entered the press club, damaged property and verbally abused journalists.

KhUJ President Kashifuddin Syed and General Secretary Irshad Ali described the incident as an assault on press freedom and called for an immediate and transparent investigation, legal action against those responsible and protection for journalists. The union also urged PTI leadership to take disciplinary action against the party workers allegedly involved.

According to The Khyber Times, the armed mob specifically targeted senior journalist Noor Behram, a member of the press club, allegedly due to his reporting and criticism regarding local public issues and the political situation.

Speaking to PPF, Behram said that he was sitting at the press club that afternoon when the security guard approached him and informed him that some people wanted to meet him. As the guard had not noticed that they were carrying batons, Behram told him to let them in.

According to Behram, the individuals entered the press club along with Noor Muhammad and allegedly began attacking Behram with batons. When they were unable to reach him, they started smashing the glass doors and windows of the press club. The security guard intervened to protect Behram and took the attackers from the premises. Behram said the police arrived at the scene, witnessed the situation and took the individuals to the police station.

Behram told PPF that he submitted a request to the District Police Officer (DPO) to register an FIR, but no FIR has been registered yet.

Following the attack, an emergency meeting was convened by the Waziristan Union of Journalists (WUJs) and the Miranshah Press Club. The journalist bodies demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible and called for a transparent investigation and improved security measures.

Speaking to PPF, Miranshah Press Club President Haji Mujtaba said the press club had been attacked for the second time, with local individuals allegedly forcing their way inside and damaging property. He said the matter was later resolved amicably. Mujtaba appealed for permanent security at the press club and to ensure the safety of journalists.

The Tribal Union of Journalists (TUJ) strongly condemned the attack, expressing full solidarity with local journalists. According to the press club’s management, the brother of a ruling-party MPA, accompanied by party workers, forcibly entered the premises, damaged property, and verbally abused journalists.

In a statement, TUJ President Hasbanullah and other leadership also demanded that the PTI leadership take strict disciplinary action against any affiliated individuals involved, stressing that political connections should not exempt anyone from the law or compromise press freedom.