PNN reporter Noroz Rana was assaulted by supporters of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) political party during a rally in Vehari
FOE Link or motive by PPF
ConfirmedCase Update Status
FIR was not registered, matter resolved.
Summary of Case
"On January 25, PNN reporter Noroz Rana was assaulted by supporters of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) political party during a rally in Vehari, Punjab. Rana told PPF that he was interviewing attendees for their opinions while covering the rally in Vehari. Some younger participants expressed support for another party, Pakistan Tehreek Insaf, prompting Rana to ask them why they were attending a PML-N event. This led to a confrontation when a PML-N supporter accused Rana of trying to discredit the rally and incite violence against him. Two individuals, purportedly supporters of the party, verbally assaulted Rana, slapped him, and destroyed his camera. They also attacked him with his microphone, targeting his eye. Rana noted that the incident occurred towards the rally’s conclusion when many reporters had left. He reported the incident to his organization and filed a complaint with the Vehari District Police Officer (DPO). On February 2, 2024, the Head of PNN Dr. Irfan ul Haq told PPF that Rana was assaulted for merely asking questions to attendees at a rally organized by Nawaz Sharif. The attack took place when people expressed their support for Imran Khan or the PTI party in response to Rana's inquiries. The circumstances suggest that Noroz Rana was targeted unfairly, as he was merely performing his journalistic duty by engaging with the public and seeking their opinions. The fact that individuals named Imran Khan or PTI as their favorites should not have led to an assault on the journalist. Furthermore, Dr. Irfan ul Haq expressed concern over the lack of legal action in the case. As of the report, no First Information Report (FIR) had been registered, and the police were reportedly uncooperative. The reluctance to take action was attributed to the involvement of a political party led by Nawaz Sharif, indicating a potential influence on the legal process. On January 27, 2024, Mubashir Mirza, a correspondent for UrduPoint, brought to light a concerning incident to PPF. Mirza reported that his fellow journalist, Noroz Rana, had become the victim of an attack while covering a rally organized by the N League. On February 2, 2024, Mukhtiar Ahmed, the President of the Vehari Press Club, told PPF that the Vehari Press Club had no knowledge or information about a reported case.
Category of Incident
Assault
ICCS Status
ICCS Divisions: 0201-Assault and threats
ICCS Group: 0201- Assaults and threats
ICCS Class: 020112- Minor assault and 020122- Minor threat
ICCS Crime: Assaults and threats
Reported By
Date of incident
25
Month
January
Year
2024
Name of affected person
Noroz Rana
Other affected persons
N/A
Name of affected organization
PNN News
Other affected organizations
N/A
Action by
Supporters of PML (N)
City
Vehari
Province
Multan
Designation
Reporrter
Professional category
Journalist
Age of victim
N/A
Marital Status
SingleCompensation Details
Amount of compensation announced by government: No compensation was announced
Date of compensation announcement by government:
Date of compensation paid by government:
Amount of compensation announced by others:
Date of compensation announced by others:
Date compensation paid by others:
FIR Details
Was FIR registered ?: No
Court Details
Was case investigated ?: No
Court where case was presented:
Name of prosecuting lawyer:
Date of first court hearing:
Date of last court hearing:
Status of court case:
Journalist Union Status
PFUJ
No version was recorded
APNS
CPNE
PBA
Condemn Status
Colleague of victim
No version was recorded
Employer organization
On February 2, 2024, the Head of PNN Dr. Irfan ul Haq told PPF that Rana was assaulted for merely asking questions to attendees at a rally organized by Nawaz Sharif. The attack took place when people expressed their support for Imran Khan or the PTI party in response to Rana's inquiries.
Press Club Status
Press club 1: On February 2, 2024, Mukhtiar Ahmed, the President of the Vehari Press Club, told PPF that the Vehari Press Club had no knowledge or information about a reported case.
Press club 2:
Press club 3: