KHYBER: Journalists in Jamrud tehsil of Khyber tribal district held a protest demonstration on Monday against the alleged misbehaviour of a checkpost staff with one of their colleagues.

Led by Jamrud Press Club president Zahir Shah, the protesting journalists were holding placards inscribed with condemnation of the incident and demands for an inquiry.

Zahir Shah said on the occasion that local journalist Mian Jan, who is working for a private television channel, was stopped at Bhagiyarree checkpost for trying to overtake other vehicles, which had slowed down there owing to traffic congestion.

He said that though the journalist admitted his mistake yet he was stopped for nearly half and one hour, his car thoroughly searched and the checkpost staff threatened him repeatedly for the violation he made mistakenly.

Mian Jan himself said that he admitted his mistake and pleaded the checkpost staff to let him go but he was not allowed. “Their tone was rude and they did not listen to reason despite showing them my identity as a journalist,” he said.

The protesting journalists demanded of the authorities concerned to take notice of the incident and punish the responsible staff for misbehaviour with their colleague.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2020