LAHORE, Jan 18: Officials of intelligence agencies allegedly beat journalists during a function in the honour of Begum Sahba Musharraf at Alhamra here on Saturday.

According to details, Osama, a radio journalist, wanted to interview Mrs Musharraf after the conclusion of the ceremony. When he tried to reach her, intelligence officials intercepted him.

The journalist told them that he had already secured permission from her but, instead of listening to him, they thrashed him. Photographers of some other dailies tried to rescue him but the officials also beat them up.

The journalists later boycotted the function and held a protest demonstration outside the Governor’s House. They chanted slogans against the government and demanded a written apology from the officials responsible for the incident.

They urged President Pervez Musharraf to take notice of the incident and take measures to prevent such incidents in future.

The Punjab Union of Journalists has taken a serious notice of the incident and called a meeting on Sunday to discuss the incident.