Samaa TV journalists attacked by several PTI supporters

FOE Link or motive by PPF

Confirmed

Case Update Status

No FIR was registered, no action taken.

Summary of Case

"On May 25, 2022 Samaa TV journalists covering a protest near Karachi’s Numaish Chowrangi were attacked by several PTI supporters who left reporter Zamzam Saeed and cameraperson Imran wounded. A TV camera was also damaged in the attack. In another attack that came a few hours later, reporter Yasir Hussain was injured. He was beaten by the PTI supporters for filming a mob setting vehicle on fire. According to Yasir, he was recording the footage from his personal mobile phone on Numaish when PTI supporters caught him filming the scene and beat him. A SAMAA TV team was also attacked in Rawalpindi near Chongi 26 area. At Karachi’s Numaish Chowrangi, the protesters pelted the SAMAA TV broadcast van (also known as DSNG) with stones when the team was heading back to the van after interviewing PTI Sindh President Ali Zaidi. Reporter Zamzam and cameraperson then took shelter inside a private TV van after they were hounded by a violent mob for showing up a Police prisoner van which was set on fire in clashes with PTI supporters. “We were on duty to cover Karachi protests as PTI’s Sindh leadership reached on-site and the teargas was fired to disperse the crowd which left many people hurt,” Zamzam said. “When we broadcasted the visuals of the police van, we were attacked,” she said referring to a police vehicle that was set on fire by protesters earlier. Zamzam urged PTI chief Imran Khan to take notice of the attack and respond publically. Another female reporter from a different TV channel was also assaulted. Earlier in the day, a similar incident was reported in Islamabad’s Chongi No 26 Bus Stop where a SAMAA TV staffer was heckled by protestors. On May 28th, 2022 Samaa Reporter Zamzam Saeed told PPF that she was covering the protest of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf at Numaish chowrangi along with her team. Some of the angry protestors came and started beating the whole team with punches, legs, and sticks. Zam Zam received serious injury in her backbone. The protestor didn’t want to spare the Samaa team but fortunately, the Samaa team managed to escape from the scene. No FIR made by Samaa team. Zamzam urged PTI chief Imran Khan to take notice of the attack and respond publically. Protestors also pelted the SAMAA TV DSNG with stones when the team was heading back to the van after interviewing PTI Sindh President Ali Zaidi. Samaa's team warn her not to go but she went of her own will She added. On May 28th, 2022 M Imran Samaa Cameraman told PPF that PTI supporters were angry at the Samaa team for covering their protest they didn’t even spare our female reporter Zamzam Saeed whole team received injuries A TV camera was also damaged in the attack. Samaa team didn’t file any FIR. On May 28th, 2022 Yasir PTI supporters are angry at him for making footage of setting a vehicle on fire by protestor Yasir Hussain was injured after the attack and he rushed to the nearest hospital for the first aid. On May 28th, 2022 Rizwan Bhatti General Secretary Karachi Press Club told PPF that KPC condemn this type of action by a protestor. Many journalists from different media organizations were beaten and harassed by protestors this is not acceptable. We demand stakeholders take actions immediately"

Category of Incident

Assault

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: 0201- Assaults and threats

ICCS Group: 02011- Assault

ICCS Class: 020112- Minor assault

ICCS Crime: Assaults and threats

Reported By

Samaa News

Date of incident

25

Month

May

Year

2022

Name of affected person

Zamzam Saeed

Other affected persons

Imran and Yasir Hussain

Name of affected organization

Samaa TV

Other affected organizations

No other organization affected

Action by

Political party workers

City

Karachi

Province

Sindh

Designation

Reporter and cameraman

Professional category

Journalist

Age of victim

Journalist denied to share

Marital Status

N/A

Compensation Details

Amount of compensation announced by government: No compensation announced

Date of compensation announcement by government: No compensation announced

Date of compensation paid by government: No compensation announced

Amount of compensation announced by others: No compensation announced

Date of compensation announced by others: No compensation announced

Date compensation paid by others: No compensation announced

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: Yes

Date of FIR:

FIR Details: FIR was not registered

Police station of FIR: FIR was not registered

Name of complainant: FIR was not registered

Name of accused in FIR: FIR not registered

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: No

Court where case was presented: Not presented in any court yet

Name of prosecuting lawyer: Not presented in any court yet

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: Not presented in any court yet

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

PFUJ condemned

APNS

N/A

CPNE

PBA

N/A

Media Source Status

Media reports:

https://www.samaaenglish.tv/news/40009444

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

Not applicable

Employer organization

Condemned

Press Club Status

Press club 1: Rizwan Bhatti General Secretary Karachi Press Club told PPF that KPC condemn this type of action by a protestor. Many journalists from different media organizations were beaten and harassed by protestors this is not acceptable. We demand stakeholders take actions immediately

Press club 2:

Press club 3: