ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) has “condemned” the police raid on the residence of Chief Editor of Daily Ausaf and Chairman ABN Group Raja Mehtab Khan and termed it an “attack on the freedom of press.”

In a statement on Thursday, APNS Secretary General Sarmad Ali stated that in the wee hours of December 20, a police contingent intruded the residence of Raja Mehtab Khan, tortured and maltreated his guard and broke the central gate of the residence.

He alleged that the police personnel harassed and abused the residents without assigning any reason.

“The APNS considers this raid an attempt to harass and threaten the media at the eve of the general elections scheduled in the month of February [next year],” he said. The APNS secretary general noted that despite application submitted by the media group to the senior superintendent of police (SSP) Islamabad, no action had been taken.

Mr Ali requested the Islamabad administration and the inspector general of police (IGP) to immediately investigate the matter and take action against the police party and ensure that no such acts would be repeated against other media outlets.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2023