Journalist boycott of NA proceedings over police manhandling
By Khalid Amin

ISLAMABAD—Journalists on Wednesday boycotted the proceedings of the National Assembly twice against manhandling of camera persons by the police outside the Parliament House.
Since this was the very first incident of manhandling of the journalists at the hands of the police after the elections, the members of the house took notice of the incident.
After observing boycott, the journalists from press gallery joined their colleagues outside the Parliament House and raised slogans.
The members of the new assembly took immediate notice of theincident and MNAs from PPP and PML-N including Sherry Rehman, Ayaz Amir, Khwaja Asif, Syed Khurshid Shah and Naveed Qamar went to the press gallery to urge the media to call off the boycott.
The media persons informed them that some police officials had cut the cables of private television channels besides manhandling the camera persons.
Terming the incident a “hinderance” in professionaloperations, the journalists demanded instant action againstthose responsible.
Sherry Rehman visited the police officers deputed forsecurity of the house and sought explanation from the concerned police officers and asked them not to take any action against anyjournalist without taking permission from the Speaker.
She also held talks with the journalists and assured themthat no such incident would take place in future. Later, on a point of order, Sherry Rehman informed the House aboutthe incident. Terming the incident a “conspiracy” against the new Speaker, she said it was an effort to ‘subvert’ the newly-electedHouse.
Expressing solidarity with the media, MQM leader Dr. FarooqSattar also condemned the incident, saying that whosoever was involved in the conspiracy should be taken to task.
Ayaz Amir said that there was no conspiracy involved in the incident, adding that the incident was the result of some “misunderstanding.” “There were high tempers from both the sides which wereuncalled for,” he said.
Khwaja Muhammad Asif said the incident was a result of the monopoly of official media over the live coverage of the House business.
“The monopoly of official media over live coverage of the House proceedings should be ended and the private TV channels should also be provided level-playing field,” he added.
Speaker Dr. Fehmida Mirza gave an observation that the cables of private TV channels be restored immediately.