Media offices, journalists report attacks by PTI protestors in rally on Pakistan's capital

Supporters of Pakistan's imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party reportedly attacked journalists and media offices on Tuesday.

The attacks came during mass demonstrations demanding the release of Khan, who was ousted from power in 2022 and jailed last year on corruption and other charges.

Demonstrators stormed the Aik News office at Express Chowk, Islamabad, trapping staff members inside for several hours and injuring the outlet's Director of North, Muhammad Adil.

The attackers reportedly shattered windows with stones and forced entry into the building, vandalizing the fifth and sixth floors of the facility.

In a separate incident, dozens of protesters attacked an Associated Press (AP) videographer covering the demonstrations, causing head injuries that required hospital treatment. The assailants also stole the journalist's camera during the assault.

At D-Chowk, protesters assaulted a reporting team from The Independent Urdu, pushing and hitting them with sticks despite their wearing press jackets, according to Qurrat ul Ain Shirazi, the outlet's correspondent.

AP stated that, "Pakistani media have mostly stopped filming and photographing the rally, instead focusing on the security measures and the city’s deserted streets."

The attacks occurred as thousands of supporters of PTI converged on Islamabad's D-Chowk, breaking through security barriers. Nine people have died in the ongoing unrest in a day.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi warned that security forces would respond with live fire if protesters used weapons, amid escalating tensions in the capital's Red Zone, which houses key government buildings.

The demonstrations began Sunday, demanding the release of former Prime Minister Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023 following a conviction in a graft case. His party maintains the charges are politically motivated.