LAHORE/KARACHI, May 3: A number of journalists were injured when police baton-charged a procession taken out in Lahore on Tuesday to mark the International Press Freedom Day.

The strong-arm tactics of the government was widely criticized by the media, political parties and peace activists who said the incidents had exposed the hollowness of the government’s claims about freedom of the press, tolerance and democracy.

The Punjab Union of Journalists had organised the rally and the participants wanted to march to the Governor’s House from the Dyal Singh Mansion.

They were stopped by police at the Chairing Cross. Senior police officials told journalists they had orders to stop them from holding a march. This led to exchange of hot words between journalists and police who resorted to a baton-charge.

In Karachi, journalists and peace activists took out a rally and staged a sit in outside the Sindh Governor’s House on Tuesday. They condemned the Islamabad and Lahore incidents and demanded punishment of those responsible for the police action.

The Karachi Union of Journalists had planned to take out a procession from the Karachi Press Club, but on hearing reports of the police action in Islamabad and Lahore, the journalists changed their plan and marched on the governor’s house to register their protest.

They demanded an apology from the government and severely condemned what they called the policy of targeting the media.

They vowed to defend freedom of the press.

Activists of Safma, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Shirkatgah, Pakistan Labour Party, Pakistan People’s Party, Pakistan Muslim League (N) and trade union organizations also took part in the protests. A PUFJ report on the state of press freedom in the country was handed over to the spokesman of the Governor House.

Our Correspondent in Muzaffarabad adds: Journalists in Azad Jammu and Kashmir observed the day by calling upon the governments of India and Pakistan to allow free access to media personnel on either side of the Line of Control to each other’s part.

The call was made in a resolution adopted during a demonstration held outside the press club. The event was organized by Press for Peace, a non-governmental organization working for freedom of the press and human rights.

Holding placards and a banner, the journalists expressed resentment over what they called undue restrictions imposed by the administration and different agencies on them in Muzaffarabad and Chakothi during the coverage of trans-Kashmir bus service.