Press freedom under attack as police raid PUJ president’s residence

LAHORE (Staff Report): The Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ) has condemned a late-night police raid on the residence of its president, Naeem Hanif, terming it an attack on press freedom and an attempt to silence independent voices.
The raid came amid growing tension between crime reporters and the Lahore police. In a statement issued on Friday, the PUJ said the move was aimed at intimidating journalists and silencing critical reporting. The union warned that such tactics were not only a direct threat to the journalist community but also part of a broader conspiracy to pit journalists against the government.
Addressing a consultative meeting held at the Lahore Press Club (LPC), which was attended by the leadership of PFUJ, PUJ, Lahore Press Club, Crime Reporters Association, Association of Photo Journalists, and Sports Reporters Federation of Pakistan, Mr Naeem Hanif said he had deliberately avoided escalating the ongoing standoff. “We did not want this issue to turn into a confrontation between journalists and the government, but some elements are conspiring behind the scenes, which is why the police raided my house,” he said.
Mr Naeem Hanif further revealed that the raid occurred on the very night Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari had visited the Lahore Press Club to meet with journalists. “Earlier that same day, we had shared our concerns with her and pointed out the elements trying to create a rift between the media and the government. Despite that, my home was raided, and my family members were harassed,” he added.

PUJ General Secretary Qamaruz Zaman Bhatti said journalists had always fought for press freedom and would continue their struggle with full resolve. “This is a direct assault on freedom of expression. Our seniors have laid down immense sacrifices for this cause, and we remain committed to defending it,” he said.
The PFUJ Secretary-General and President of Lahore Press Club, Arshad Ansari, along with other journalist associations, also condemned the raid in the strongest terms and demanded strict action against those responsible.
Meanwhile, the PUJ Executive Council declared the raid on its president’s house an “open attack” on journalists and called on Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to take immediate action against the perpetrators.