Clashes erupt between police, citizens, media at press club
KARACHI: Arrests were conducted, journalists were baton-charged and civil society protestors refused to vacate the premises of the Karachi Press Club in the afternoon Monday where tensions escalated from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The press club was surrounded by security personnel anticipating a protest in the morning. Civil society members had organized one for the afternoon and when they turned up they chose to enter the club to protest there. As people emerged from the club they were instantly arrested by the men waiting outside. Members of the law enforcement agencies then talked to the press club management and told them to have the premises vacated.
This led to a clash between journalists and the security forces outside. Finally, the press club management told the civil society protestors to leave the press club and protest outside but they were refused.
“We strongly condemn the emergency and will struggle for the freedom of the press and democracy,” said Najeeb Ahmed, a moderator and member of the press club. He was backed by Pakistan FisherFolk Forum’s Mohammed Ali Shah: “The ban on the media is proof that in this country there is no freedom for anyone because the media is the voice of the people and banning it is equal to banning a citizen’s right to live.”
Many were critical of the government’s inability to rein in extremists over eight years. “It is wrong to blame political parties and its leaders for the country’s poor state,” said Hasil Bizenjo a Baloch nationalist leader.
Journalist Javed Qazi said that instead of imposing an emergency, the dictator should hold himself accountable for the fact that paramilitary forces in Swat were surrendering to militants and have lost control over the Northern Areas.
Journalist Arbab Chandio said that it was disappointing to see that not many people showed up to protest.
When more speakers were invited to step up to the dais, the president of the press club, journalist Sabihuddin Ghausi walked up and differed with what was happening on the club’s premises. This was not the right way to condemn any act and a strategy should be worked out in a sensible manner to express one’s views, he told the protestors. “There is no difference between Musharraf and the journalists present here because both have violated the Constitution in the same manner,” he said, adding that journalists were violating press clubs rules.
A large number of civil society members and political activists stood up and opposed these remarks. An exchange of hot words ensued between two groups of journalists. One group was of the view that this had to be discussed in the governing body meeting which others ignored for a protest.
While matters were being sorted out, a political activist named Omer Farooq chanted a slogan, ‘Those sold out are the military’s mouth piece’. A group of angry journalists held him and asked him to leave the club’s premises immediately but civil society members and journalists controlled the situation. Those present included Yusuf Masti Khan, Karamat Ali and NGO activists.
Source: Daily Times
Date:11/6/2007
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