The recent police brutality against journalists in Lahore has once again brought the fragile state of press freedom in Pakistan into the spotlight. Following the assault on journalist Natiq Rehan during his coverage of a protest, DIG Operations Lahore, Faisal Kamran, has officially suspended four police officers and ordered a departmental inquiry into their conduct.
While the suspension of these personnel is a standard procedural response to public outcry, it rarely addresses the systemic culture of impunity that allows such incidents to occur in the first place. For the average Pakistani, this incident serves as a grim reminder that those tasked with upholding the law are often the ones violating it when the cameras are turned on.
The facts of the Lahore incident
- Incident: Physical assault on journalist Natiq Rehan while covering a protest in Lahore.
- Action taken: Suspension of four police officers involved.
- Official response: DIG Operations Lahore Faisal Kamran has ordered a formal departmental inquiry.
- Broader context: This follows a similar recent incident in Karachi, where three police officers were suspended after a viral video showed them harassing a citizen and extorting Rs 30,000.
Why police brutality against journalists matters
When police target members of the media, they aren't just attacking an individual; they are attacking the public's right to know. In a city like Lahore, where protests are a common feature of daily life, journalists act as the eyes and ears of the citizenry. When they are intimidated or physically handled by law enforcement, it creates a chilling effect that prevents the truth from reaching the public.
Furthermore, the pattern of 'suspending' officers after a video goes viral suggests a reactive rather than a proactive approach to policing. In the Karachi bribery case, the incident only gained traction because a video surfaced online. This begs the question: how many similar incidents of harassment and violence go unreported because there was no bystander with a smartphone to record the abuse?
What you should do
If you witness police misconduct or harassment, your documentation is your best defense.
- Record safely: If it is safe to do so, record the interaction, but do not put yourself in harm's way.
- Report immediately: Use the Punjab Police's online complaint portals or visit the nearest SP office to file a formal report.
- Stay informed: Keep track of the 'departmental inquiry' status. Often, these inquiries disappear once the initial media cycle dies down. If you are a journalist or a witness, following up through the Right to Information (RTI) acts can ensure the process remains transparent.
What to watch next
Keep an eye on whether these four suspended officers are actually terminated or if they are quietly reinstated after a few weeks in a different district. Real accountability requires more than just a temporary suspension; it requires a complete overhaul of how police are trained to interact with the public and the press. Until the police department moves beyond damage control and addresses the root cause of this aggressive behavior, these suspensions remain little more than a band-aid on a deep, structural wound.