Photographer harassed, journalists walk out of Senate | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Photographer harassed, journalists walk out of Senate

ISLAMABAD, May 6: All the reporters covering proceedings in the Senate on Thursday morning walked out from the House after the question hour to protest against the harassment of a photographer by CIA for taking photos of the suicide by a shopkeeper.

The pressmen staged the walkout following reports that the photojournalists had assembled outside the Parliament House building to raise voice against the harassment of G.A. Zaidi of daily Pakistan.

The opposition senators took up the matter in the House. Chairman Wasim Sajjad directed two members to find out the reason for the walkout.

Thereupon, PMI’s Senator Zafar Iqbal Jhagra accompanied by PPP’s Safdar Abbasi came to the press gallery from where they were taken out where photographers were holding the rally. The protesters carried banners inscribed with slogans “Information Minister Mushahid Hussain: Rein in Khalil Malik,” etc. Meanwhile, Ishaq Chaudhry of the Photojournalists Association apprised Interior Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain of the problems being faced by his colleagues owing to the threatening attitude of the police and CIA who were harassing Mr. Zaidi to record his statement on the self-immolation of Tahir Mahmood Khokhar, the victim shopkeeper of Aabpara Chowk.

The minister said the photographers who had covered the self-immolation incident couldn’t be absolved of the onus like the shopkeepers and police on duty. He said he had already suspended some policemen who were present at the scene. However, he assured the photographers that he would direct the CIA personnel not to harass the photographer concerned.

The Photojournalists Association adopted some resolutions urging the authorities to stop giving threats to photographers. The Association condemned the sleuths and policemen involved in the harassment.

Source: Dawn

Date:5/7/1999