RAWALPINDI; The Rawalpindi police on Monday registered a case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan, the party’s legal counsel Naeem Haider Panjutha, and several other individuals, following an attack on a journalist outside Adiala Jail.
The first information report (FIR) was lodged at Saddar Bairooni Police Station on the complaint of Tayyab Baloch, president of the Supreme Court Press Association. The FIR cites multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including 147 (punishment for rioting), 149 (unlawful assembly), 382 (theft after preparation made for causing hurt), 427 (mischief causing damage), and 506 (criminal intimidation).
In his complaint, Baloch stated that he was outside Adiala Jail at around 3:55 pm to report on developments in the Toshakhana case, when Aleema Khan began speaking to the media.
He alleged that during the interaction, Naeem Panjutha incited PTI workers by shouting, “Teach him a lesson for questioning Aleema about properties.” Immediately afterward, a group of 35–40 individuals reportedly grabbed him, threw him to the ground, and subjected him to physical assault.
Baloch further claimed that during the attack, his mobile phone was forcibly snatched, his microphone was damaged, and other reporters who tried to help him were also beaten. “We managed to escape after repeated pleas,” he said, adding that the assault stemmed from earlier confrontations in which he had asked Aleema Khan about property purchases in the United States.
According to him, Aleema’s associates later posted his pictures on social media and spread negative propaganda against him, culminating in what he described as a pre-planned attack. He urged legal action against all those involved.
In response, Naeem Panjutha rejected the allegations, calling the FIR a “fabricated case” targeting him and Aleema Khan.
The confrontation also prompted a collective response from journalists at the scene. Following the incident, media representatives announced a boycott of Aleema Khan’s media talk, accusing PTI workers of manhandling and mistreating them.
This was not the first disruption surrounding Aleema’s media appearances at Adiala Jail. Days earlier, she had been pelted with eggs by two women during another interaction with journalists. Though briefly startled, Aleema quickly regained her composure and remarked that such incidents were expected.
The women involved were later detained by police, who said they had links to PTI and were participating in protests organized by the All Government Employees Grand Alliance and APCA against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur over salary and governance issues.
The egg-throwing incident drew a sharp response from PTI leaders, including former MPA Seemabia Tahir, who condemned the women’s actions and accused them of attempting to create chaos to discredit the party.
Meanwhile, the latest assault on journalists has triggered widespread condemnation across political and media circles. Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar denounced the attack on Tayyab Baloch, saying he was targeted “solely because of a difference of opinion, which is unacceptable.” He vowed strict legal action and expressed full support for the journalist community.
Leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), including Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Nadeem Afzal Chan, and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, also condemned the incident. Karachi Press Club President Fazil Jamili described the attack as “unfortunate and condemnable,” stressing that political parties must discourage such practices. “Politics and journalism rise and fall together,” he said, warning that this dangerous trend will persist unless parties take responsibility.
