Journalist Haseeb Gondal from the city of Bhakkar in Punjab was reportedly brutalized by multiple persons earlier today. It has been alleged that because of his reporting, Gondal was roughed up plainclothes policemen. A video purported to be of this attack on Gondal – being beaten with a stick, while his hair is being held by an assailant – has been doing the rounds on social media.
بھکرمیں پولیس کیخلاف خبر دینے والے صحافی حسیب گوندل پر بہیمانہ تشدد۔ پولیس کیخلاف خبریں دینے اور صحافت سے توبہ کرنے پر اصرار۔
وزیر اعلی پنجاب اور آئی جی پولیس واقعہ کا نوٹس لیں۔ انسانیت کی تذلیل کرنے والے عناصر کو نشان عبرت بنایا جائے۔ pic.twitter.com/BWnbsj5DqZ— Afzal Butt (@Afzalbutt01) December 15, 2022
In the video, the assailants can be heard forcing Haseeb Gondal to foreswear journalism. When Gondal refuses to respond, he is beaten again.
Local journalist #HaseebGondal is subjected to inhuman treatment after his reports on alleged malpractices in police in Bhakkar district.#FreedomNetwork calls on @OfficialDPRPP chief to bring perpetrators of this crime to justice at the earliest. @MoonisElahi6 @Uroojsayyami pic.twitter.com/CvYpXN9YDh
— Freedom Network (@pressfreedompk) December 16, 2022
Local Journalist Haseeb Gondal, who reported against the police in Bhakkar Pakistan, is brutally tortured and forced to leave the journalism
Can CM Punjab and IG Police take notice of this crime? #justiceforhaseebgondal @HamidMirPAK @ImranRiazKhan pic.twitter.com/SfJvhTyaut— Arbaz Niazi (@Iam_ArbazRaees) December 16, 2022
Meanwhile, Punjab police has issued a clarification, stating that the incident occurred due to a “personal grudge” between the parties involved.
بھکر پولیس نے شہری پر تشدد کرنے والے ملزم کو گرفتار کر لیا گیا ہے۔ ملزم کا مخالف فریق کے ساتھ تنازعہ چل رہا تھا جس کی رنجش پر یہ واقعہ پیش آیا۔ pic.twitter.com/PPuq7xMsFg
— Punjab Police Official (@OfficialDPRPP) December 16, 2022
The police have also issued a statement that they arrested suspects involved in the matter.
