KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday strongly condemned the attacks on media houses at Karachi.
In a press statement, Bilawal said that the Pakistan People’s Party believes on freedom of expression and the attack on Television Channels in Karachi is a condemnable act. He said that difference of opinion is factor of a society and should have to respect it. He expressed solidarity with journalist community and said that independent media is surety of strong democracy.
Earlier, dozens of political workers belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) stormed the office of ARY News in Karachi. The move comes shortly after the MQM announced holding protests in front of SAMAA, Geo News and ARY News against “lack of coverage of the party’s hunger strike” at press club. Angry MQM protesters surrounded the channel’s office at Madina Mall and tried to barge into the building.
They broke the channel’s entry gate and assaulted media workers. Gunshots were also heard in the area, where markets and shops were closed. Four people, including a policeman, were wounded during firing. Demonstrators also tried to burn SAMAA’s DSNG, leaving a cameraman wounded. Heavy police and Rangers teams reached the scene and resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the protestors.
