Case Update Status

Matter has been resolved under the leadership of PPC and KHUJ

Summary of Case

On May 28, journalists Irfan Moosa Zai from Sama News and Asif Shehzad from Bol News, along with their camerapersons Abid Khan and Farhan Bashir, respectively, faced alleged assault and mistreatment from Frontier Corps (FC) personnel after completing their coverage of Eid-ul-Adha festivities at the Torkham Border. The incident reportedly occurred when the journalists and their teams were wrapping up their reporting. The FC personnel's behavior towards the journalists sparked concern within the journalistic community. Following the incident, there were reports of a heated exchange and physical altercation, resulting in damage to equipment and injuries. The matter was later resolved after ISPR officials apologized and met with the journalists at the Peshawar Press Club. Khyber Union of Journalists (KHUJ) strongly condemned the alleged mistreatment of journalists by state agency officials in Peshawar. In a statement, KHUJ President Kashif Uddin Syed and General Secretary Irshad Ali demanded strict action against the officials involved. The incident occurred when journalists, including Yasir Ali, Irfan Musazai, and Asif Shahzad, were covering Eid celebrations at the Pak-Afghan border. Upon returning, some journalists objected to the officials' behavior, leading to a confrontation. KHUJ expressed concern over the situation and emphasized the need for state institutions to protect journalists. The union leaders highlighted the crucial role journalists played in the war against terrorism and their sacrifices. KHUJ had also called for an emergency meeting to determine a future course of action and demanded a transparent investigation into the incident. As per the details publicized by KHUJ Brigadier Asif Jahangir Raja, Sector Commander of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, visited the Peshawar Press Club and met with journalists led by Peshawar Press Club President M Riaz and Khyber Union of Journalists President Kashif Uddin Syed. The meeting, also attended by other officials and journalists, aimed to resolve the issue. Brigadier Raja apologized for the unfortunate incident and assured necessary action. Kashif Uddin Syed thanked the Brigadier for handling the matter amicably and expressed hope that steps would be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future KHUJ President Kashif Uddin spoke to PPF on July 29, stating that journalists were invited by the Frontier Corps to cover an event, but things took a turn when the FC's official photographer misbehaved with and manhandled the journalists. The Khyber Union of Journalists and Peshawar Press Club jointly reached out to the authorities, prompting responsible officials to visit the Press Club, apologize for the incident, and promise action against the personnel involved. Freedom Network suggested that a group of journalists, formally invited by the Frontier Corps to cover Eid festivities at the Torkham border, allegedly faced physical assault and mistreatment from FC personnel after the event. According to Kamran Ali Shah, a GNN News reporter from Peshawar, a media team faced censorship and interference while covering an event at the Torkham border. A physical altercation occurred between the team and a program leader, but the issue was resolved after the press club intervened and the brigade officer apologized. The team was allowed to re-record footage with SBR officials present, and the matter was put to rest. Shah highlighted the challenges media teams face in covering such events, including limited creative freedom and the need for authorities' approval. Sama News reporter Irfan Moosa spoke to PPF and stated that the Frontier Corps annually invites media teams to cover Eid celebrations at the Torkham border, typically a week before Eid. The media record footage of soldiers performing prayers and other activities, which are then packaged and aired on Eid Day to showcase how the troops celebrate the festival away from their families. Moosa said that this year, around 10-15 media representatives, including Moosa's team, were invited to record the festivities. However, tensions arose when the team was asked to walk to the recording location while the commanders rode in a vehicle. The situation escalated into a scuffle and verbal abuse, but was eventually resolved after the brigade leader intervened, apologized for his personnel's behavior, and allowed the team to proceed with the recording. The press club played a key role in mediating the issue between the media team and the military leadership, said Moosa. Speaking to PPF on July 28, Bol News representative Asif Shahzad explained that every year, media teams are invited by the ISPR to cover Eid celebrations at the border. The teams record footage of soldiers performing prayers and other activities, which is then packaged and shared to showcase how troops celebrate Eid. This year was no different, and Asif's team, along with a few other channels, was invited to record the celebrations. However, on their way back, the ISPR vehicle broke down in a rugged, hilly area. The commandos walked ahead to check the vehicle, leaving the journalists behind. Shehzad detailed that as the night began to fall, Asif's team, including cameraperson Farhan Bashir with some other journalists, decided to walk the remaining 20 kilometers to Peshawar. When they saw the commandos returning in their vehicle, they were asked to get in, but the journalists felt it was unnecessary after walking so far. The situation escalated when a security guard snatched Asif's mobile phone and used threatening words, sparking a heated exchange that led to a scuffle between the journalists and ISPR personnel. Shehzad said that when they refused to get into the vehicle, an ISPR cameraperson angrily replied and said, “Sit in, otherwise you will be forced”. After that argument, the situation heated up and assaults were made on each other, due to which an ISPR personnel member was injured, but the situation was eventually resolved after the ISPR officials apologized, returned Asif's mobile phone, and met with the journalists at the Peshawar Press Club. The matter was resolved amicably, with the ISPR officials taking steps to make amends. The package prepared by Asif Shehzad, along with cameraman Farhan Bashir, states that soldiers from the Frontier Corps North are stationed on the Pakistan-Afghan border, prioritizing the country's safety and security as the nation celebrates Eid. For them, the true spirit of Eid lies in maintaining peace and stability in the nation. The soldiers express their commitment to their duty, emphasizing that they want the nation to feel secure and worry-free. The soldiers take pride in sacrificing their festive moments with family and loved ones for the greater cause of national security. They convey a message of reassurance to the public, stating, "You can celebrate Eid without worry, as we are here to protect the borders." Their dedication to duty is driven by a sense of patriotism and responsibility. While the nation enjoys Eid festivities, the soldiers stationed on the border mark the occasion with a sense of duty and responsibility. Despite the challenging terrain and weather conditions, they remain steadfast in their commitment to safeguarding the country. The report highlights the sacrifices and dedication of the soldiers on the Pakistan-Afghan border, who prioritize national security over personal celebrations, serving as a testament to their patriotism and love for the nation. Sama News Bureau Chief Mr. Tariq Waheed shared his version with PPF, stating that the incident occurred just before the last Eid al-Azha. Unfortunately, the FC's handling of the media in such events has been reported as harsh in the past, and this time, it escalated to physical assault on media personnel. The main reason behind this behavior seems to be the recent deployment of a Major in the FC's PR department, who lacks experience and attempts to manage the media like the forces under his command. However, after a day of protests from journalist bodies, the ISPR team visited the Peshawar Press Club for a mediation jirga and formally apologized, resolving the issue.

Category of Incident

Assault

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: 0201- Assault

ICCS Group: N/A

ICCS Class: 020111

ICCS Crime: Assault

Reported By

Freedom Network

Date of incident

28

Month

May

Year

2025

Name of affected person

Reporters Irfan Moosa Zai from Sama News and Asif Shehzad from Bol News

Other affected persons

Camerapersons Abid Khan and Farhan Bashir

Name of affected organization

Sama News

Other affected organizations

Bol News

Action by

FC personnel

City

Durand Line, Torkham Border

Province

KP

Designation

Reporters and Camerapersons

Professional category

Journalists and Photojournalists

Age of victim

N/A

Marital Status

Compensation Details

Amount of compensation announced by government: No compensation was announced

Date of compensation announcement by government: No compensation was announced

Date of compensation paid by government: No compensation was announced

Amount of compensation announced by others: No compensation was announced

Date of compensation announced by others: No compensation was announced

Date compensation paid by others:

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: No

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: Matter was not presented before any court

Court where case was presented: Matter was not presented before any court

Name of prosecuting lawyer: Matter was not presented before any court

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: Matter was not presented before any court

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

No version was recorded

APNS

No version was recorded

CPNE

No version was recorded

PBA

No version was recorded

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

Sama News Bureau Chief Mr. Tariq Waheed shared his version with PPF, stating that the incident occurred just before the last Eid al-Azha. Unfortunately, the FC's handling of the media in such events has been reported as harsh in the past, and this time, it escalated to physical assault on media personnel. The main reason behind this behavior seems to be the recent deployment of a Major in the FC's PR department, who lacks experience and attempts to manage the media like the forces under his command. However, after a day of protests from journalist bodies, the ISPR team visited the Peshawar Press Club for a mediation jirga and formally apologized, resolving the issue.

Employer organization

N/A

Press Club Status

Press club 1: No version was recorded

Press club 2: No version was recorded

Press club 3: No version was recorded