Case Update Status

No FIR was registered, local press club resolved the matter between both parties after verbal communication.

Summary of Case

"On 18 July, 2021 Some villagers threatened Mehrab Shah Afridi , a journalist from Khyber District, and attempted to attack him inside the Landi Kotal Press Club, causing anguish and indignation within the journalist community.

These intimidators serve Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri, according to Mehrab Shah Afridi, also a TNN correspondent from Landi Kotal Tehsil.

On the other hand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa journalists’ organizations have strongly condemned the threats made to Mehrab Shah Afridi by activists of Federal Religious Affairs Noor Haq Qadri and demanded protection for journalists.

“The Federal Minister for Religious Affairs is trying to construct his own kingdom in Khyber, the Prime Minister should take prompt notice of this,” journalist Rifatullah Orakzai said in a tweet. Since when did those who claimed to be building a ‘Riyasat.e.Madina’ begin to enslave people?

Shamim Shahid, a senior vice-president of the Federal Union of Journalists and a senior journalist, claims that since the PTI administration took control in the country, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the media has faced numerous impediments in carrying out their responsibilities. Journalists, on the other hand, are subjected to various forms of torture for pointing out the failures of the government.

Lakki Marwat Press Club journalists have strongly condemned the threats made against Mehrab Shah Afridi, and have stated that the journalist community of Lakki Marwat is behind Landi Kotal Press Club journalist Mehrab Shah Afridi. They claimed that assaulting and intimidating a journalist was illegal. If the government does not respond quickly and take legal action against the intimidators, protests would erupt from Dera Ismail Khan to Chitral.

Mehrab Shah told PPF that he interviewed MPA Shafiq Sher Afridi regarding the street light put in Landi Kotal Bazar in which Shafiq Sher said that Alhaj Shah Gul started the street light scheme in 2013 in Landi Kotal, which he has now completed and uploaded on his Facebook profile named “ Mehrab Afridi” on July 13, 2021 after the interview was aired, opponents of MPA Shafiq and activists of Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri criticized Shafiq Sher Afridi and use abusive language against MPA and journalist in “ Comment section”. According to critics, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Noor Haq Qadri has placed street lights in Landikotal Bazaar and other development initiatives, while MPA Shafiq Sher Afridi is attempting to claim credit for these projects and programme. The matter does not end on comment section, as these critics have begun to harass Mehrab in numerous ways, with some abusing him and others threatening to torture him. According to Mehrab, Dr. Rasim Shah Shinwari, who is the father of local PTI member Mr. Ata ur Rehman and a doctor by profession had also come to the Landi Kotal Press Club intending to attack him. However, he was on the upper floor at that time, thus the people on the ground floor sent him back and thus his life was spared. Journalist did not register any FIR and not received threats after that.

Sudhir Ahmed, President of Landikotal press club told PPF that the matter is related to the interview video uploaded by Mehrab, The situation become tensed between Mehrab and critics of that MPA. A group of people came Press Club on July 18, 2021 to attack on Mehrab, Mehrab was on the 2nd floor, we stopped him there and resolve matter by verbal communication with the protesting group. Then situation became normal.

Imran Shinwari president of Khyber Press club told PPF that he is himself was handling the matter. Mehrab posted a video on his Facebook profile, the local PTI member Mr. Ata ur Rehman commented on that video and use abusive language then Mehrab posted about Ata ur Rehman on his Facebook wall that Ata has no manners and tag his father Mr. Rasim. The situation became tensed between both parties. Imran himself coordinated with both of them and resolved the matter without any FIR. Ata Ur Rehman deleted all his comments and Mehran also deleted post against Ata ur Rehman."

Category of Incident

Threats

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: 0201- Assaults and threats

ICCS Group: 02012-Threat

ICCS Class: 020121- Serious Threat

ICCS Crime: Serious Threat

Reported By

TNN

Date of incident

20

Month

July

Year

2021

Name of affected person

Mehrab Shah Afridi

Other affected persons

No other person affected

Name of affected organization

TNN

Other affected organizations

No other organization affected

Action by

Villagers

City

Landi Kotal

Province

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Designation

Reporter

Professional category

Journalist

Age of victim

27

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 FIR registered

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

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

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

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

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

Shamim Shahid, a senior vice-president of the Federal Union of Journalists and a senior journalist, claims that since the PTI administration took control in the country, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the media has faced numerous impediments in carrying out their responsibilities. Journalists, on the other hand, are subjected to various forms of torture for pointing out the failures of the government.

APNS

CPNE

PBA

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

N/A

Employer organization

N/A

Press Club Status

Press club 1: "Lakki Marwat Press Club journalists have strongly condemned the threats made against Mehrab Shah Afridi, and have stated that the journalist community of Lakki Marwat is behind Landi Kotal Press Club journalist Mehrab Shah Afridi. They claimed that assaulting and intimidating a journalist was illegal. If the government does not respond quickly and take legal action against the intimidators, protests would erupt from Dera Ismail Khan to Chitral. Press Club 2: Sudhir Ahmed, President of Landikotal press club told PPF that the matter is related to the interview video uploaded by Mehrab, The situation become tensed between Mehrab and critics of that MPA. A group of people came Press Club on July 18, 2021 to attack on Mehrab, Mehrab was on the 2nd floor, we stopped him there and resolve matter by verbal communication with the protesting group. Then situation became normal. Press Club 3: Imran Shinwari president of Khyber Press club told PPF that he is himself was handling the matter. Mehrab posted a video on his Facebook profile, the local PTI member Mr. Ata ur Rehman commented on that video and use abusive language then Mehrab posted about Ata ur Rehman on his Facebook wall that Ata has no manners and tag his father Mr. Rasim. The situation became tensed between both parties. Imran himself coordinated with both of them and resolved the matter without any FIR. Ata Ur Rehman deleted all his comments and Mehran also deleted post against Ata ur Rehman. "

Press club 2:

Press club 3: