Activists of two political parties once again attacked the offices of Geo television network on the night of September 7, 2014. Nobody was injured in the attack.
According to press reports, protesters belonging to Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) vandalised the premises of Geo TV, as well as Daily “The News” and Pakistan’s largest circulated Daily “Jang”. They smashed the windscreens of vehicles of staff parked there, and also damaged the security wall before entering the premises.
According to “The News” since the sit-ins of the PTI and PAT started in Islamabad on August 14, the team of Geo has been attacked many times. The attackers have struck at least 20 times during last one week at the Geo/Jang building and pelted stones, broken windows and damaged vehicles in its parking lot. A female reporter had also been threatened by some participants of the sit-in while another reporter’s mic was snatched during the coverage.
Afzal Butt, President of one faction of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned the incident and said if the police failed to provide security, then journalists, themselves, will protect their colleagues. He said the journalists also have the right to seek apology from Imran Khan and Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri for the attack on the Geo News office and the harassment of journalists, workers and staff members of Geo News, The News and Jang.
Ameen Yousuf, General Secretary of the other faction of PFUJ also strongly condemned the incident and said such violent acts should be stopped and adequate security be provided to media.