Protests across Pakistan against Geo News attack

ISLAMABAD: Protests have been held in cities across Pakistan including Lahore, Peshawar and Hyderabad against the attack on the Geo News office in the federal capital.

Protests were held by various journalists’ organizations while a rally was also taken out to the Parliament House in Islamabad. Journalists and members of civil society protested outside Parliament House.

PML-N Senator Mushaidullah Khan said no one could pressurize Geo and its employees.

On Sunday night, the Geo News building was once again attacked by activists of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) when employees of Geo, Jang and The News were busy in their work.

Law enforcement agencies failed to protect journalists as rioters pelted the building with stones, smashing windows.

During the last one week the Geo/Jang office located at Fazl-e-Haq road has been attacked 20 times, as rioters have broken the windows of the office and windscreens of vehicles belonging to employees.

Since the sit-in of the PTI started, the staff of Geo has come under attack many times. A woman reporter, Farhat Javed, covering the sit-in was attacked with empty bottles and other staff was also harassed. The mike of a Geo reporter was snatched in the sit-in and other staff members were also teased and harassed. The daily harassment has greatly perturbed the Geo staff members who are compelled to perform their duties in an atmosphere of fear.