ISLAMABAD: A cameraman belonging to a private television channel was injured when he was attacked by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s security guards.
Video footage available with media shows Wajid Ali, a cameraman working for the private news channel Samaa TV, filming Sharif as he was leaving the Parliament House when the security guards attacked him.
The video shows the guards chasing the cameraman, who ran to save himself but was eventually overpowered and brought to the ground with kicks to the face.
The cameraman was bleeding from the nose and mouth and shifted to the Poly Clinic hospital in an unconscious condition.
Later, journalists caught one of the guards before he could escape and handed him over to the Parliament House security. Another guard managed to flee.
Journalists stage protest
Journalists held a protest sit-in outside the parliament building against the incident, blocking Parliament’s Gate No.1 entrance.
They also stopped the vehicle of Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry.
The newsmen vowed to continue their protest until the arrest of the security guard involved in the episode.
Nawaz condemns the ‘painful’ incident
Former premier Nawaz Sharif took notice of the torture of senior cameraman and condemned the incident.
“I was painful and sad to know of the incident,” Nawaz said. “As soon as, I came to know of it I directed party leaders to take the cameraman to hospital and make arrangements for his treatment.”
He said he and his party have immense respect for all journalists, camerapersons and photographers.
“I will not tolerate any individual in my staff who is found guilty of mistreating a person in such a way,” the former premier said.
“We will ensure that this sort of regrettable, condemnable incident never happens in future.”
Speaker bars private guards from entering parliament premises
Meanwhile, Speaker of the National Assembly Asad Qaiser barred private security guards from entering the parliament.
He ordered registration of an FIR against the security guard involved in the media person’s torture.
The speaker said that in future, no one would be allowed to enter the parliament’s premises along with security guards.
“No matter how influential a leader is, he must leave his security detail outside the parliament,” he said.
Marriyum Aurangzeb calls on injured cameraman
PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb called on the injured cameraman Wajid Ali in Polyclinic Hospital in Islamabad.
She said Mian sahib has taken strict notice of the incident and the security guard involved in the incident would be punished.
Marriyum said the PML-N supremo had asked her to personally supervise the treatment of injured cameraman.
“The PML-N heartily respects the press and media fraternity,” she said, apologising on behalf of her party.
