Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), strongly condemned the attack on a senior journalist by doctors and staff of a Services Hospital in Lahore, with knives and hard blunt object and seriously injured him and expressed concern over the rising incident of violence against journalists in Punjab.
Asad Sahi, senior journalist working for a private TV channel was covering the medical test of those cleared for ASI on reported issue of "cheating and accepting bribes," by some officials. On Friday, when he went to find out more at the hospital he was caught by the doctors and staff of the hospital who badly beat him with knives and other objects. Later, they also refused him to give medical aid despite the request by some other colleagues.
He was later shifted to a private hospital where he has been admitted and is under treatment. He has received several wounds but doctors termed his condition as stable and out of danger. PFUJ demanded action against the private guards of the hospital, staff and doctors and registration of case. "The culprits should be arrested and an independent inquiry should be ordered by the provincial government," PFUJ said in a statement.
If the hospital authorities had any complaint they should have right to adopt a legal course. But to attack anyone in this manner where his life would be in danger is a serious offence and government must take notice of the incident.
PFUJ also demanded immediate release of the three journalists arrested by the police in a false case of terrorism and dacoity two days back, failing which PFUJ will reserve its right to launch a strong protest against the Punjab police. "We expect from the Chief Minister of Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif that he will take notice of these incidents and take action against those responsible," it said.
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