News Desk
Lahore, September 6, 2024:
The family of Christian journalist Haroon Ilyas Masih, arrested in Kamoke, Gujranwala under what they claim are false charges, is urgently calling for his release. Masih was detained while covering a protest where a man committed suicide and reportedly refused to delete footage of the incident. Although his Muslim colleague, who was arrested alongside him, has been released, Masih remains in custody. His family, now struggling without their primary breadwinner, is appealing to the government for justice, asserting that he was simply performing his journalistic duties and has been wrongfully framed.
Relatives of journalist Haroon Masih have spoken out, calling for justice after his arrest in connection with a protest suicide. Haroon’s wife, Naila Haroon, and his uncle, Ikhlaq Masih, have both expressed their concerns about the false charges and the difficulties the family is facing in his absence.
Naila Haroon, Haroon’s wife, described the challenges her family is enduring since her husband’s arrest. “Haroon has been a journalist for nine years, currently working with Hum News. On the day of the incident, he was simply doing his job when he was wrongfully arrested under Section 302,” she said.
Naila explained that Haroon and another journalist, Shafique from Express News, were reporting on a protest where a man set himself on fire. When the police demanded that Haroon delete the video he had recorded, he refused, stating that he was performing his professional duty. “Haroon was arrested for not deleting the video, while his colleague Shafique was released the next day. My husband, however, remains in custody,” she explained.
As the sole breadwinner for their family, Haroon’s arrest has left them struggling. “We are facing great difficulties, especially as my two daughters attend school and Haroon was our family’s support. I appeal to the Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz to ensure justice is done and to help us during this difficult time,” Naila added.
Haroon’s uncle, Ikhlaq Masih, provided further details on the events leading to Haroon’s arrest. According to Ikhlaq, Haroon was reporting on the protest staged by a man named Qadeer, whose wife had been kidnapped. Qadeer, frustrated by police inaction and demands for bribes, set himself on fire in protest, Haroon, assigned to cover the protest, recorded the tragic incident, he claimed
“Haroon refused to delete the video when asked by the police, which led to his arrest. Another journalist, Shafique, was arrested as well but was released the next day, while Haroon remains in custody. The entire case has been unfairly placed on him,” Ikhlaq explained.
He emphasized Haroon’s innocence, stating, “Haroon had nothing to do with the incident—he was there simply to report. We appeal to the government to release Haroon and provide justice for our family.”
Chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Asad Butt, also condemned the arrest of Christian reporter Haroon Masih, asserting that he was wrongfully held accountable for failing to intervene during a protest. The protest, which involved a man threatening to set himself on fire, was covered by Haroon as part of his reporting duties.
Asad Butt, emphasised that it is the responsibility of law enforcement to intervene in such situations, not journalists. “If a protester was attempting to harm himself, the duty of the police and security forces was to step in and prevent the incident, not the reporter,” he said. “Haroon’s job was to report on the event, as instructed by his office.”
Addressing the accusations against Masih, Butt questioned the logic behind them. “If Haroon, as a reporter, had tried to intervene, he could have been harmed as well. Who would have been responsible for his safety then?” he asked, underscoring that reporters are not trained or equipped to handle such high-risk situations.
Butt called for a fair and thorough investigation to uncover the true facts surrounding the case, stressing the importance of a state-led inquiry through a specialised research committee. “This is a matter that requires a comprehensive investigation, and the state has a duty to ensure the truth comes to light,” he added.
Muhammad Aftam Alam, Chief Executive of IRADA, expressing his concern over the recent arrest of Haroon Masih, urged the state to conduct a timely and impartial investigation into the incident. Alam stressed that the probe should proceed without any external pressures to ensure that justice is served.
“The state must act swiftly and fairly, making certain that justice prevails in this matter,” Alam stated.
Rev. Amjad Niamat, Chairman of the Presbyterian Ecumenism, Human Rights, Interfaith Peace & Harmony Commission of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan, has voiced concern over the arrest of Haroon Masih. Commenting on the incident, Rev. Niamat, emphasized upon the crucial role journalists play in society, stating, “Reporters are the ears and eyes of the society, and they must be protected.”
He highlighted that Masih was fulfilling his professional duty when he covered the protest, noting that he was not acting alone but was part of a team, who broadcasted the news “Haroon Masih was there on assignment, sent by his office. He wasn’t the only one covering the event—he was with his team. Why was he singled out and arrested?” Rev. Niamat questioned.
The church leader also expressed the Presbyterian Church’s concern for the incident, offering prayers for Haroon Masih and his family, and calling for justice and relief in the matter.