Case Update Status

No legal action has been taken in this regard.

Summary of Case

"On February 27, 2023, A clash took place between the police and TV anchor Imran Riaz, who tried to enter the Gaddafi Stadium along with some men who were wearing masks of the slain journalist Arshad Sharif’s face to show solidarity with him on Sunday. The situation turned tense when the masked men raised slogans in favour of Arshad Sharif and tried to make forced entry into the stadium along with Imran Riaz. A video clip of the incident showed both sides thrashing each other and the TV anchor’s heated arguments after a police inspector declared that wearing the mask showing the ‘face’ of the late journalist on the premises of the stadium was a violation of the policy/regulations of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). In the footage, the police inspector said that wearing the mask of the slain Arshad Sharif’s face was a ‘specific narrative’ that could not be disseminated in the sports activity. He also declared that the police deputed at the Gaddafi Stadium for security had been strictly directed by the senior officers to disallow acts that might go against the country’s respect. Another police official argued that the stadium was a playground and the police, in light of the instructions of the PCB, would not allow the stuff that might make the national event controversial, saying the PSL match was being broadcast worldwide. In response to the police’s version, Imran Riaz said wearing the mask of Arshad Sharif was not an anti-state act. He said the cricket fans used to bring with them the stuff they liked to enjoy the cricket match at the stadium. He alleged that he was holding a cricket pass, and the police misused their authority by stopping him and his fellows/friends. “I think the police officials don’t like the narrative that the PDM doesn’t like,” Mr Riaz said."

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

Dawn

Date of incident

27

Month

February

Year

2023

Name of affected person

Imran Riaz Khan

Other affected persons

Not other person affected

Name of affected organization

No organization was affected.

Other affected organizations

No other organization was affected

Action by

By Police officials

City

Lahore

Province

Punjab

Designation

Freelancer and youtuber.

Professional category

Journalist

Age of victim

47

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 ?: No

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

Name of prosecuting lawyer: Case is not in any court

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: Case is not in any court

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

Not required to contact

APNS

N/A

CPNE

N/A

PBA

N/A

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

Not required to contact

Employer organization

Not required to contact

Press Club Status

Press club 1: Not required to contact

Press club 2: N/A

Press club 3: N/A