July 2, 2022 – Journalist Ayaz Amir, who works as a senior analyst for Dunya News, was attacked by “unidentified men” after the recording of his show in Lahore on Friday night.
In a statement to the channel, Amir said that after his car was blocked by a vehicle, a man, wearing a face mask, came up to them and collared his driver. When Amir rolled down the window and questioned him, another two men emerged and charged blows to his face, following which Amir was dragged out of his car. He was then assaulted by the men on the road.
“Since it was a crowded road, people started gathering,” said Amir. “My phone and wallet were there and they [the attackers] made off with them as well.”
In the photos shared on Twitter, Amir can be seen sitting in his car with a torn shirt.
An FIR has been registered at the Qila Gujjar Singh police station on the complaint of Amir’s driver, according to a latest report by Dunya News.
The attack comes a day after Amir criticised the military at a seminar titled “Regime Change and its Fallout on Pakistan”. It was attended by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan and was organised by the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA). Amir also highlighted the issues with the former PTI-led government at the event. Parts of the senior journalist’s speech were widely circulating on social media.
Condemnations from politicians and journalists began pouring in shortly after images and reports of the attack on Amir emerged online.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took note of the incident and instructed Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz to hold a “high-level” investigation into the attack, according to a statement run by APP.
“I condemn in strongest terms the violence against senior journalist Ayaz Amir today in Lahore,” said former prime minister Imran Khan. “Pakistan [is] descending into the worst kind of fascism with violence and fake FIRs against journalists, opposition politicians, citizens. When the state loses all moral authority it resorts to violence.”
I condemn in strongest terms the violence against senior journalist Ayaz Amir today in Lahore. Pak descending into the worst kind of fascism with violence & fake FIRs against journalists,opp politicians, citizens.When the State loses all moral authority it resorts to violence.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 1, 2022
Condemning the attack, PTI’s Andleeb Abbas called Amir “a brave and outspoken veteran journalist”.
“Yes, absolutely obvious that neutrality is desperate and would go to any lengths,” she said. “Ayaz Amir is a brave and outspoken veteran journalist. Truly pathetic attempt to crush the truth.”
Yes absolutely obvious that neutrality is desperate and would go to any lengths…Ayaz Amir is a brave and outspoken veteran journalist…Truly pathetic attempt to crush the truth… https://t.co/p2Uki9a5We
— Andleeb Abbas PTI (@AndleebAbbas) July 1, 2022
Journalist Mazhar Abbas called the assault on Amir “unacceptable”.
“Veteran journalist Ayaz Amir of Dunya TV was attacked by unknown persons as he came out of office. This is unacceptable.”
Veteran journalist Ayaz Aamir of Dunya TV was attacked by unknown persons as he came out from office. This is unacceptable.
— Mazhar Abbas (@MazharAbbasGEO) July 1, 2022
“Utterly reprehensible attack on Ayaz Amir, one of Pakistan’s most respected news commentators in Islamabad,” said journalist Kamran Khan. “Better ban freedom of speech through a state decree than beating into silence those exercising the right to free speech enshrined in the constitution of Pakistan.”
Utterly reprehensible attack on Ayaz Amir one of Pakistan’s most respected news commentators in Islamabad. Better ban freedom of speech through a state decree than beating into silence those exercising the right to free speech enshrined in the constitution of Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/fHTm2VCrpE
— Kamran Khan (@AajKamranKhan) July 1, 2022
Anchorperson Mansoor Ali Khan termed the attack “highly condemnable”.
“The brutal attack on senior journalist Ayaz Amir is highly condemnable,” he said. “The arrest of these attackers should be the highest priority of this government. Shameful how voices are being silenced in this era.”
The brutal attack on Senior Journalist Ayaz Amir is highly condemnable. The arrest of these attackers should be the highest priority of this government. Shameful how voices are being silenced in this era. #JournalismIsNotACrime #FreeSpeech
— Mansoor Ali Khan (@_Mansoor_Ali) July 1, 2022
Other journalists who condemned the attack on Amir include Arshad Sharif and Amir Mateen.
