Despite exemptions, law enforcers troubling journalists

Despite the fact journalists have been exempted from the ban on pillion riding, several incidents have been reported in the city during the last few days, in which law enforcers misbehaved with the employees of newspapers and imposed fines on them in violation of the exemption granted to them by the government.

An employee of The News, Aijaz, said that when he and his colleague were returning on a motorcycle after completing their night duty at the office, they were intercepted by traffic cops near Korangi Crossing and in spite of the fact that they showed their media cards to the cops, they imposed a fine on them.

Journalists belonging to various media organisations have also reported that they are not being forced by law enforcers to take unfamiliar routes to reach their destinations as they do not remove the barriers on roads.

“Since the last couple of days, I am being stopped by law enforcers near the Shaheen Complex, who despite seeing my office ID card do not allow me to use the road,” says Ehtisham Anwar, a senior sub editor.

“They (law enforcers) told me to use streets that I do not know as the road is blocked. I showed my office ID card and told them multiple times that the government has allowed the media persons to work during the lockdown but despite this, they misbehave.”

Anwar said as incidents of mugging are being reported these days, it is not safe to use unfamiliar streets for travelling.

“They are allowing the police and Rangers to travel but not allowing the journalists although the rules are same for all – law enforcers and journalists during the lockdown are both exempted from such restrictions.”