Mumtaz Qadri hanging: Protesters clash with police, attack media house

KARACHI:  Frenzied mobs clashed with police, attacked a media office in Karachi and a press club in Hyderabad as protesters took to streets after Friday prayers against the hanging of Mumtaz Qadri.

Religious organizations took out rallies and held protest demonstrations in major cities of the country. Rallies were taken out in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Mardan Kasur and elsewhere.  

Angry protesters vandalized shops in Karachi’s electronics market while a Police Station was attacked during a rally in Lahore Lower Mall area.

The protesters pelted the office of Aaj TV with stones and damaged vehicles parked outside the office in Karachi.

Pakistan Broadcaster Association (PBA) condemned the attacks on media organization and journalists, calling on the government to provide security to journalists.

In a statement the PBA expressed complete solidarity with its member channels AAJ News against this act of violence. "PBA terms this act as an attempt to curb freedom of expression and to discourage media from performing its constitutional responsibilities," it said.

The PBA demanded of the the government to initiate an immediate action to apprehend the attackers. "PBA has continuously been drawing attention of the Govt. towards the attacks on media houses, but so far there has been no action taken to either curb this violence or to provide security to media. PBA reiterates and urges the government to immediately take proper and effective measures in this respect,” the statement said.

Editors for Safety (EFS) called on the federal and provincial governments to ensure security of journalists and media houses.