Case Update Status

BUJ demanded apologies from those accountable, but nobody stepped up to resolve the issue, yet.

Summary of Case

On May 29, an incident occurred in the District Court Quetta involving a team from Neo News, including reporter Hanif Bazai and his cameraperson Zafar Ali Abro. While Bazai was recording the behavior of lawyers towards a woman attending a court hearing, he was allegedly abused by the lawyers. The lawyers were staging a procession in protest of the arrest of their colleague, advocate Ghulam Mustafa. The situation escalated when Bazai began documenting the scene, leading to the verbal abuse. Shia News suggested that Journalist Hanif Bazai was physically assaulted by lawyers on the premises of the Quetta district court while covering their procession. According to the report, the lawyers' violent behavior not only targeted Bazai but also violated freedom of the press, constitutional rights, and human dignity. The incident occurred while Bazai was covering a lawyers' procession, and he was allegedly subjected to physical assault, had his mobile phone and TV logo snatched, and was treated rudely. The BUJ has announced a boycott of covering lawyers' press conferences and activities. As per the report of Neo News, a disturbing incident has unfolded in Quetta, where a team from Neo News was allegedly mistreated and had their mobile phones snatched while covering a story at the district courthouse. The Balochistan Union of Journalists has taken notice of the incident and announced a boycott of the Bar press conference. On June 3, Hanif Bazai shared his account of the incident with PPF. He stated that he was covering a lawyer's procession in Quetta District Court, which was protesting the arrest of advocate Ghulam Mustafa. During the event, a woman approached the lawyers, requesting them to let her pass so she could attend a hearing in court, as her case was scheduled for that day. However, the lawyers refused to let her through, leading to a heated exchange. When two lawyers pushed the woman, Bazai attempted to record the incident. One of the lawyers then snatched Bazai's mobile phone and channel logo, pushed him back, and warned him to leave the premises. Following the incident, Bazai contacted Khalid Ahmed, President of the Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ). Ahmed condemned the lawyers' behavior and announced that the BUJ would boycott covering the District Bar's press conferences until the lawyers apologized for their actions. Bazai shared that the President of the District Bar, Advocate Qari Rehmat, assured the BUJ that the accountable lawyers would apologize, but no one has reached out to the BUJ yet. As a result, the BUJ has continued its boycott of the lawyers' conferences, said Bazai. On May 28, the Quetta Bar Association announced a complete strike in courts across Quetta on May 29, in protest of the arrest of its member, Ghulam Mustafa Advocate, under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law. It was proclaimed that during the strike, police, administration officials, and the general public would be barred from entering the courts. Videos recorded and pictures captured during the altercation show lawyers obstructing civilians from passing the main gate of the District Court, highlighting their behavior towards the public during the procession organized by the District Bar Association. Speaking to PPF on June 3, Neo News Bureau Chief Kazim said that Hanif Bazai is a good character and a professional journalist who focuses on facts and raises actual issues. Kazim added that what happened to Bazai is highly deplorable and constitutes an attack on press freedom. District Bar Association Quetta General Secretary Mir Ali Bilawal Khoso told PPF that the incident wasn't a big deal, as lawyers were observing a strike and enforcing their decision to halt court proceedings. A heated argument ensued when a lawyer tried to stop a woman from commuting to court. Media personnel attempted to record the scene, which caused tension among the lawyers, who felt that such recordings could spark controversy. Khoso added that a lawyer tried to stop the media from recording, and the Bar Council had even offered to apologize. He also mentioned that the Bar's President, Advocate Qari Rehmat, had reached out to the BUJ to resolve the issue amicably, but they didn't respond. The Bar is still set to make an apology, no matter what, said Khoso. Quetta Press Club President Irfan Saeed, speaking to PPF on June 3, condemned the attack on journalist Hanif Bazai, while also clarifying that Bazai is not a registered member of the Press Club Quetta, and the club wasn't involved in issuing any statement regarding the incident. The Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) condemned the attack on journalist Hanif Bazai by lawyers, citing violations of freedom of the press, constitutional rights, and human dignity. The BUJ demanded legal action against the lawyers involved and announced a boycott of covering lawyers' events until the perpetrators are held accountable and justice is served for Bazai. Balochistan Union of Journalists Secretary General Ghani Kakar told PPF that the District Bar Association Quetta did approach the BUJ through its President, Advocate Qari Rehmat, to apologize for the incident. However, Kakar said the Bar Association failed to disclose the names of its members involved in the attack on journalist Hanif Bazai. As a result, the BUJ remains firm in its stance to boycott all future press conferences of the District Bar Association until those responsible are held accountable

Category of Incident

Manhandled

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: 0201- Assault

ICCS Group: N/A

ICCS Class: 020111

ICCS Crime: Assault

Reported By

Shia News

Date of incident

29

Month

May

Year

2025

Name of affected person

Hanif Bazai

Other affected persons

Zafar Ali Abor

Name of affected organization

Neo News

Other affected organizations

N/A

Action by

Lawyers of Quetta Bar

City

Quetta

Province

Balochistan

Designation

Reporter and Cameraperson

Professional category

Journalist

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: 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 before any court

Name of prosecuting lawyer: N/A

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: N/A

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

Speaking to PPF on June 3, Neo News Bureau Chief Kazim said that Hanif Bazai is a good character and a professional journalist who focuses on facts and raises actual issues. Kazim added that what happened to Bazai is highly deplorable and constitutes an attack on press freedom.

Employer organization

No version was recorded

Press Club Status

Press club 1: Quetta Press Club President Irfan Saeed, speaking to PPF on June 3, condemned the attack on journalist Hanif Bazai, while also clarifying that Bazai is not a registered member of the Press Club Quetta, and the club wasn't involved in issuing any statement regarding the incident.

Press club 2: The Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) condemned the attack on journalist Hanif Bazai by lawyers, citing violations of freedom of the press, constitutional rights, and human dignity. The BUJ demanded legal action against the lawyers involved and announced a boycott of covering lawyers' events until the perpetrators are held accountable and justice is served for Bazai.

Press club 3: Balochistan Union of Journalists Secretary General Ghani Kakar told PPF that the District Bar Association Quetta did approach the BUJ through its President, Advocate Qari Rehmat, to apologize for the incident. However, Kakar said the Bar Association failed to disclose the names of its members involved in the attack on journalist Hanif Bazai. As a result, the BUJ remains firm in its stance to boycott all future press conferences of the District Bar Association until those responsible are held accountable