[Current Affairs] 28 May, 2021 Top Pakistan Current Affairs for FPSC Test Preparation

2. An update – the attack on journalist, Asad Ali Toor

What’s going on? Pakistani journalist Asad Ali Toor wrote an update about his condition on Twitter after three men attacked him at his home in Islamabad on Tuesday night. Thankfully, Toor said his condition is improving, and he’s getting better. When we wrote about the attack in our previous newsletter, it was still a developing story, and details about who was behind the attack weren’t available at the time.

The details: In a statement to police, Toor said the attack took place at approximately 11:00 pm on Tuesday when he heard his doorbell ring. Toor’s lawyer, Haider Imtiaz, claimed the person at the door pointed a pistol at Toor and said “you should step back.” The attacker reportedly dragged Toor to his bedroom, bound, gagged and beat him. Two other accomplices joined the attacker. The assailants reportedly asked him questions about his “sources of income” and “funding.”

Who did it? According to Al Jazeera, Toor said the attackers identified themselves as belonging to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency (i.e. Pakistan’s military intelligence service). The Pakistan army’s press wing hasn’t commented on the allegation. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reportedly spoke to Toor, who told them that the man who rang his doorbell identified himself as an agent with the ISI. The CPJ messaged the ISI public relations service but didn’t get an immediate response.

Tell me more: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned the “brutal assault” on Toor. The HRCP called this “another attack on freedom of expression and free press.” Amnesty International South Asia said it’s gravely concerned about the “violent attack” on Toor in his own home. In the meantime, the Protection of Journalists Bill is being presented in the National Assembly this week – the same week Toor was attacked.

Reminder: Last year, a Rawalpindi resident named Hafiz Ehtisham accused Toor of spreading “negative propaganda” and using “derogatory remarks” against govt institutions and Pakistan’s army. Rawalpindi police charged him for defamation and public mischief. Later on, the Lahore High Court (LHC) dismissed the case.

The context: Toor is a producer for the privately owned broadcaster, Aaj TV. He also launched a YouTube channel in 2020 called Asad Toor Uncensored, which has around 26,000 subscribers. His online videos have been viewed more than 2 million times. He’s reportedly known to be critical of Pakistan’s military and Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s govt. Pakistani journalists and activists are taking to social media to condemn the attack on Toor with the hashtag #JournalismIsNotaCrime. They perceive the attack on Toor as an attack on freedom of speech, an attack on free media, and an attack on journalists trying to speak the truth. Basically, while some view his criticism as free speech that shouldn’t be silenced, others think he is making trouble.

The protests: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) is holding countrywide protests outside press clubs in each city on Friday. The HRCP said it will join. According to a tweet by activist, Ammar Ali Jan, political activists and civil society members are also joining PFUJ’s protest in solidarity with Toor.

Now what? An investigation is still ongoing. The CPJ called on Pakistani authorities to launch a “credible investigation” into the assault on Toor, and bring the perpetrators to justice. CPJ’s Asia program coordinator, Steven Butler, also claimed that Pakistan has “a long and sorry record of failing to prosecute crimes against journalists.”

The bottom line: Human rights organizations and activists are demanding the safety and security of journalists in Pakistan. There has reportedly been an increase in attacks against journalists who are considered to be critical of Pakistan’s military and the govt.