Journalist assault case: Islamabad police arrest main suspect, register FIR

According to police officials, the arrest came after Abbasi publicly described the incidents in a video statement recorded outside Aabpara Police Station

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Police have arrested the alleged main suspect and registered a First Information Report (FIR) following multiple assaults on journalist Ehtasham Ali Abbasi in the federal capital.

According to police officials, the arrest came after Abbasi publicly described the incidents in a video statement recorded outside Aabpara Police Station. Police have also launched raids at different locations to apprehend other individuals allegedly involved in the attacks.

Abbasi said the first incident occurred outside the FIA Islamabad Zonal Office in Melody, where he had gone in connection with official work. He alleged that a man identified as Munawwar, accompanied by several people, assaulted him and caused injuries.

The journalist subsequently approached the police and was taken to PIMS Hospital for a medical examination. According to his account, the same group allegedly confronted and attacked him again at the hospital despite the presence of police personnel.

Abbasi said police officers responded immediately and assured him that the matter would be handled according to law and that justice would be delivered on merit. He expressed appreciation for the role of SP City, Inspector General Islamabad Police and other officers who, according to him, supported him during the incident and subsequent proceedings.

Police officials confirmed that the principal suspect had been taken into custody and that an FIR had been registered at Aabpara Police Station. Senior police officers are reportedly monitoring the investigation, while teams are conducting further raids to locate the remaining suspects.

In his statement, Abbasi alleged that the accused was a property dealer and claimed that he had a criminal record. He also rejected any impression that the incident was a dispute between journalists or lawyers, saying the matter would now be pursued through the legal process.

The journalist thanked the Islamabad Police for registering the FIR and making an arrest, adding that he intended to pursue the remaining proceedings before the courts in accordance with law.

The incident has once again raised concerns over the security of journalists working in the federal capital. Media circles have called for effective protection of journalists and a transparent investigation into attacks against media professionals.

Police have yet to publicly disclose the FIR number and detailed charges. The investigation is continuing, while efforts to arrest the remaining suspects are underway.