According to Azaz Syed, reporter of a private TV channel, his house was raided and doors were locked by some unidentified men keeping the inmates hostage for hours. He added that windscreens of his car were also broken by the attackers. He lamented that despite his repeated calls to '15', no one reached the spot in time. He said he was receiving threats for last many days, which he had conveyed to the concerned authorities. The journalists condemned the act and demanded of the government to take serious notice of the issue and bring the culprits to book.
Minister for Interior Rehman Malik along with PML-N lawmaker Ayaz Siddique came to the press lodge and requested the protesting media persons to end the boycott and assured them that strict actions would be taken against those responsible including the policemen who reached the spot late. He added that he would suspend the Chief of '15' due to the delayed response.
The Interior Minister said he has already ordered probe into the matter and the IG Islamabad has been directed to submit preliminary report till Tuesday evening. He also invited two journalists to be part of the committee to ensure transparency. He said the victim who was given threat on phone would be given security and the matter would be thoroughly investigated.
Malik distributed phone numbers of the Special Cell in the Interior Ministry set up to facilitate journalists across the country. He said his phone is available round-the-clock for contact by any journalist for reporting personal matters. The protesting journalists ended their boycott on the assurance of the minister.