Journalist Community Stands United Against Police Harassment Boycott of Police Coverage Continues
Haripur (Hum Gawah)
An emergency meeting of the Working Journalists Group was held under the chairmanship of President Shahid Akhtar Awan, in which the group strongly condemned the false FIRs registered against journalist Harith Swati and others. The meeting expressed serious concern over the biased behavior of the police and the failure of the inquiry committee.
The participants unanimously decided that if Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur and the Inspector General of Police fail to take immediate notice of the situation, the journalist community will raise its voice across all national and international platforms.
The group also declared complete distrust in the current inquiry committee, which, despite the passage of four days, has failed to bring the truth before the public. Until a clear and transparent outcome is presented, the boycott of all police-related media coverage will continue.
Speaking on the occasion, General Secretary Asmat Shah Mishwani strongly criticized the police and stated:
“The police are acting like oppressors. We are not criminals—we are journalists. Attempting to silence our voice through false cases and harassment will not be tolerated. We will fight back through every legal forum.”
Prominent senior journalists and the Asif Awan Abbasi group expressed full solidarity with the Working Journalists Group. In a joint statement, they said:
“This is not just about one journalist; it is an attack on the freedom of press. We stand firmly with our fellow journalists and will not remain silent in the face of injustice.”
Likewise, the Abrar Haider Darwaishian group also extended full support, saying:
“We have always respected the police and given them media coverage. Today, that same police force is humiliating journalists. This behavior is shameful and unacceptable, and we will resist it through every constitutional and democratic means.”
President Shahid Akhtar Awan concluded the meeting by saying:
“The lack of unity among journalists in Haripur is one of the reasons such injustices persist. It’s time for all journalists to rise above personal differences and unite on a single platform to fight for justice.”
The meeting ended with a unanimous resolve to continue the struggle for press freedom, dignity, and accountability. The participants vowed not to succumb to any pressure and to stand firm in the defense of truth and justice.
