1 week ago
Pakistan Sikh Anchor Alleges Police Raid, Staff Beaten at Studio
Harmeet Singh is a Sikh journalist in Pakistan who runs a small digital media studio.
He says police entered the studio on August 30.
Singh says they took computers, cameras, microphones and other equipment.
He also says two workers were detained and hurt.
Singh believes the raid may be connected to protests involving one of his associates.
He says he started the studio after leaving mainstream television because of pressure over his reporting.
Some relatives and members of his community advised him to stop journalism or leave Pakistan.
Singh is asking rights groups and civil society to help recover the equipment.
Police have not yet given their side of the story.
Journalist Harmeet Singh says Islamabad Police raided his digital media studio on August 30.
He alleges officers seized computers, cameras, microphones, a teleprompter, batteries and other equipment.
Singh claims two employees were detained and physically mistreated during the incident.
He says the studio may have been targeted after an associate joined protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Police have not publicly responded to Singh’s allegations, which raise concerns about press freedom.
- Who
- Sikh journalist and anchor Harmeet Singh, his employees and Islamabad Police.
- What
- Singh alleges that police raided his studio, detained two employees, mistreated them and seized equipment.
- Where
- At Singh’s digital media studio in Islamabad, Pakistan.
- When
- The alleged raid took place on August 30; Singh released a video about it on August 31.
- Why
- Singh believes the studio may have been targeted after an associate participated in protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, but police have not stated a reason.
Harmeet Singh’s Allegations
Police Position
What happened at the studio
Harmeet Singh’s Allegations
Singh says police raided the studio, seized equipment and detained and mistreated two employees.
Police Position
Police had not issued a public statement, so their account of the incident was unavailable.
Reason for the alleged raid
Harmeet Singh’s Allegations
Singh believes the studio was targeted because one of his associates participated in protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Police Position
No police explanation or stated reason for the alleged raid had been reported.
Press freedom concerns
Harmeet Singh’s Allegations
Singh describes the incident as harassment of journalists and says it reflects pressure over reporting and criticism of those in power.
Police Position
The allegations had not received a public response from police, leaving the press-freedom claims disputed and unresolved.
Key facts
- Alleged raid
- Singh says Islamabad Police raided the studio on August 30.
- Seized equipment
- Five computer systems, cameras, podcast microphones, stands, a teleprompter and batteries were allegedly taken.
- Detentions
- Singh says employees Saif from Multan and Razi Tahir were detained.
- Reported mistreatment
- Singh alleges the two employees were physically mistreated.
- Possible connection
- He linked the alleged targeting to an associate’s participation in protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
- Police response
- Police had not issued a statement responding to the allegations.
- Singh’s appeal
- He asked civil society and human rights organisations to speak out and help recover the equipment.
Sources
Related news
Pakistan Journalist Detained as Press Freedom Group Condemns Cybercrime Case
Amnesty Urges Pakistan to Release Detained Kashmir Journalist
Women Journalists Allege Assault After Questioning Delhi Chief Minister
Row Over Alleged Custody Torture After Sikh Man’s Protest
Women Journalists Allege Police Assault and Detention in Delhi
Attack on Journalist Sparks Protest in Bhupalpally
