Pakistan’s journalist community has condemned the recent attack on anchorperson Shiffa Yousafzai’s house in Islamabad. Netizens too are once again expressing concern over the safety of the country’s media fraternity.
According to the details by Shiffa Yousafzai, unknown armed men barged into her property in Islamabad. The anchorperson and her family were not at home; however, her house help present at the time was attacked by the armed men.
The house help was slapped and beaten. He was also questioned about the whereabouts of the family. The armed men also tried getting inside the main house but left when they couldn’t.
Read more: Imaan Mazari, Shiffa Yousafzai slam each other on Twitter
Islamabad Police were called and an investigation is currently underway. The incident has raised concern over the deteriorating safety of journalists within the country. The journalist community, along with the public, is condemning the incident.
کیا آج کوئی چادر اور چار دیواری کے تقدس کی بات کرے گا؟ pic.twitter.com/pviVQYe1Zk
— Imran Khan (@ImranRiazKhan) December 20, 2022
I condemn the attack of armed men on the house of Shiffa Yousafzai and the torture of the employee in the house. Stay Strong @Shiffa_ZY
— Muhammad Faizan Khan (@FaizanFayzi) December 20, 2022
کہیں تو رُک جاؤ اللہ سے ہی ڈرو https://t.co/Rb7K0wvx13
— Sabir Shakir (@ARYSabirShakir) December 20, 2022
PTI leaders have also condemned the attack on anchorperson Shiffa Yousafzai’s house while decrying the violation of human rights in Pakistan.
“This is now very disturbing! Shiffa Yousafzai just called to inform me that two armed men just broke into her house, beat up her servants, asked about the family, searched the house, and left! This is a very alarming situation,” PTI leader Ali Haider Zaidi said.
This is now very disturbing!@Shiffa_ZY just called to inform me that two armed men just broke in her house, beat up her servants, asked about the family, searched the house and left!
This is a very alarming situation.— Ali Haider Zaidi (@AliHZaidiPTI) December 20, 2022
“Violation of human rights and threats to journalists have become a norm. Period of worst fascism. Stay safe Shiffa,” PTI senior leader Asad Umar said.
انسانی حقوق کی پامالی، صحافیوں کو دھمکیاں ایک معمول بن گیا ہے. بدترین فسطائیت کا دور #StaySafeShiffa https://t.co/IWFAsG1Gyb
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) December 20, 2022
“Pakistan is currently passing through an era of strict censorship and fascism. The sanctity of the journalist Shiffa Yousafzai’s four walls has been violated but it is also being hidden by touts who speak and write against Imran Khan,” PTI’s Ali Awan said.
پاکستان اس وقت سخت ترین سینسر شپ اور فاشزم کے دور سے گزر رہا ہے صحافی @Shiffa_ZY کی چادر چار دیواری کا تقدس پامال کیا گیا مگر اسے بھی اپنے #بغل_بچوں کے ذریعے چھپایا جا رہا ہے اگر وہ بھی عمران خان کے خلاف بولنے لکھنے والوں میں ہوتیں تو اب تک ایک حشر برپا ہو چکا ہوتا
— Ali Awan (@AliAwanPTI) December 20, 2022
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb also strongly condemned the armed men’s attempt to enter into anchorperson Shiffa Yousafzai’s house and alleged torture of domestic workers.
The minister telephoned Shiffa Yousafzai and informed her that the police were investigating the incident and had been directed to arrest the culprits as soon as possible. The minister also expressed solidarity with Shiffa Yousafzai and her family.
Read more: Shiffa Yousafzai harassment case: IHC directs FIA to conduct inquiry against Asad Ali Toor
Pertinent to mention that Shiffa Yousafzai lately has also been the target of a negative social media campaign aimed to character assassinate her.
Thank you @_Mansoor_Ali for talking about how sick minds, attacking women and their characters when then cannot argue with them or deter a woman’s progress, should be thrown out of political parties. Appreciated!
— Shiffa Z. Yousafzai (@Shiffa_ZY) December 19, 2022