Rawalpindi (NNP) The arrest of renowned senior journalist and crime reporter Israr Ahmed Rajput sent shockwaves through the journalistic community yesterday. Rajput, a prominent figure at The Nation, was apprehended by the Pirwadhai Police following accusations related to a tweet he posted on social media.
According to Rajput, the tweet in question was swiftly deleted within thirty to forty minutes of its posting, accompanied by a public apology to the Rawalpindi Police on Twitter. Despite his efforts to rectify the situation, he found himself embroiled in a legal battle as a case was registered against him. Rajput asserted that prior to the formal case, he had received assurances from high-ranking police officials that the content of his tweet, which was deemed fake, had been acknowledged and addressed.
In contrast, a spokesperson for the Rawalpindi Police stated in a press release that Rajput’s arrest stemmed from the dissemination of false rumors of a sensitive religious nature on social media. The police emphasized the gravity of such actions, highlighting the distress and fear caused within the community and the potential to incite tensions among religious groups.
The Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) swiftly condemned Rajput’s arrest, denouncing it as an attack on press freedom. RIUJ President Tariq Wirk and Secretary Asif Bashir Chaudhry called for the immediate withdrawal of the First Information Report (FIR) and demanded Rajput’s release. They announced plans for a protest demonstration outside the National Press Club, scheduled for Monday at three o’clock, to rally support for Rajput and advocate for press freedom.
As the case unfolds, questions regarding freedom of speech, responsible reporting, and the role of journalists in society loom large, sparking debates within both the journalistic community and the broader public.
