Case Update Status

FIR was not registered but police filed a complaint against the culprits.

Summary of Case

"Esar ul Haq Qasmi, a reporter of Khyber TV was harassed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s local Chairman Gulbagh Muhammad Arif Orakzai over a question during long march coverage in Hangu on November 26, 2022. Orakzai got enraged by the question and started abusing journalists. Esar said that he questioned Member of National Assembly Nadeem Khayal about the number of party employees who attended the demonstration because there were more automobiles than workers. In a widely shared video, Orakzai was seen kicking the journalist after the query was made. “Instead of responding to the question, Muhammad Arif Orakzai threatened me and broke his camera and used abusive language with me. I have submitted an application to lodge an FIR of the incident at the City Police Station, the police official refused to register the FIR and said after the medical we would be able to register the FIR”. Qasmi added. Zaman Khan, president of Hangu press club told PPF that the Qasmi was attacked for just asking the question, he demanded action against the accused. Mubarak Ali Director Khyber TV and Daily Khyber told PPF that harassment of Esar ul Haq Qasmi is an attack on free press, and proper action should be taken. However, Asif Bahadur, the District Police Officer (DPO) of Hangu told PPF that blamed journalists for taunting the number of workers involved in the long march and said: “We cannot file the FIR”. Following the attack on Qasmi, journalists of Hangu have announced a boycott of reporting. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Union of Journalists has announced its support to the journalist community of Hangu and demanded IG and Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to take notice and strict action, Minute Mirror reported. "

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

Minute mirror

Date of incident

26

Month

November

Year

2022

Name of affected person

Esar Ul Haq Qasmi

Other affected persons

No other person was affected

Name of affected organization

AVT Khyber

Other affected organizations

No other organisation was affected

Action by

By the PTI's worker Muhammad Arif

City

Hangu

Province

KP

Designation

Reporter

Professional category

Journalist

Age of victim

30

Marital Status

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 ?: No

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: FIR was not registered

Court where case was presented: FIR was not registered

Name of prosecuting lawyer: FIR was not registered

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: FIR was not registered

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

Condemned

APNS

N/A

CPNE

N/A

PBA

N/A

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

Condemned

Employer organization

Mubarak Ali Director Khyber TV and Daily Khyber told PPF that harassment of Esar ul Haq Qasmi is an attack on free press, and proper action should be taken.

Press Club Status

Press club 1: Zaman Khan, president of Hangu press club told PPF that the Qasmi was attacked for just asking the question, he demanded action against the accused.

Press club 2: N/A

Press club 3: N/A