Case Update Status

Issue was resolved and compromised

Summary of Case

On July 8, ARY News crime reporter and a member of the Karachi Press Club, Afzal Khan, was hassled, his work was intervened, and his team was maltreated by the Pakistan Stock Exchange Security Officer Kamran Khan, when they were reporting on a fire that had broken out at the head office of the stock exchange in Karachi. Speaking to PPF on July 9, Khan stated that his team reached the head office Stock Exchange Building on Monday morning (9 am) for the coverage of news. Khan said that he was reporting while his cameraperson Yaqoob Zafar was recording from his mobile phone. A Dawn TV cameraperson Ali Jan was also with them. Khan shared that ""unexpectedly,"" a security officer from the stock exchange, Retired Major Kamran Khan, came and intervened in their work and stopped them from reporting on the subject. Khan stated that they continued their work; however, then the security officer threatened the cameramen and took their mobile phones. He said that their equipment, including the mini mic and Object Box, were lost during the mishap. According to Khan, the journalist community and members of the Karachi Union of Journalists held a protest. He told PPF that later, the matter was argued before the Senior Superintendent of Police Arif Azeef and Station House Officer Syed Asad Raza, and DSP Arshad Jahangir took notice of the matter and called the Managing Director of PSE, Farrukh Khan, Executive Director Mr. Ahmed Chinoy and the accused, Security Officer, Kamran Khan. Khan said that the PSx staff reached the office of the Senior Superintendent of the Police. The security officer who made the threats admitted his mistake. Khan stated that MD Farrukh asked for a compromise and the matter was resolved as he has good terms with Farrukh. Khan said that the PSx Managing Director promised to compensate the team; however, no damages had been paid to date. Senior Superintendent of Police, Arif Aziz, speaking to PPF, said that, there was a little tussle between the reporter and the security officer of the stock exchange as in an emergency anyone can panic and show anger. He said that the security officer came to his office for the compromise with Executive Director Ahmed Chinoy and admitted that he was panicked and in confusion due to the fire break-out in the company misbehaved with the media officials, and for the reason of argument kicked them out to the entrance. Aziz said that, the media officials also want exclusive coverage so it all is usual."

Category of Incident

Assault

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: 0201-Assaults and threats

ICCS Group: 02011 -Assault

ICCS Class: 020112- Minor assault

ICCS Crime: Assault

Reported By

PPF Safety Monitors Group

Date of incident

8

Month

July

Year

2024

Name of affected person

Afzal Khan

Other affected persons

Yaqoob Zafar, Ali Jan

Name of affected organization

ARY News

Other affected organizations

Dawn TV

Action by

Stock Exchange Security Officer

City

Karachi

Province

Sindh

Designation

Reporter

Professional category

Journalist

Age of victim

N/K

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: No compensation was announced.

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: No

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: No

Court where case was presented: Case was not presented in any court.

Name of prosecuting lawyer: Case was not presented in any court.

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: Case was not presented in any court.

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

Karachi Union of Journalists Dastoor strongly condemned the misbehavior of the stock exchange security officer with the reporter and cameramen during the coverage of the stock exchange. President KUJ Hamid Rehman and the General Secretary specially foreordained the matter and stated that deterring journalists from professional matters during coverage is deplorable and KJJ discourages any such practice. KUJ Dastur demanded that action be taken against staff and guards who misbehaved with journalists.

APNS

N/A

CPNE

N/A

PBA

N/A

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

N/A

Employer organization

Not required.

Press Club Status

Press club 1: Not condemned.

Press club 2: Not condemned.

Press club 3: Not condemned.