Gujranwala, September 7, 2024 — Christian journalist Haroon Ilyas has been arrested by police following a protest suicide incident in Kamoke. The incident occurred on August 19, when Ubaid ur Rehman, who had been protesting police inaction on a case, set himself on fire during a planned media event aimed at drawing attention to his plight. Ubaid was severely injured and later succumbed to his burns on August 23, leading to an FIR filed under sections 302 and 311 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
According to the complaint filed by Ubaid's brother, Moaz Abdul Rehman, several journalists, including Haroon Ilyas, were present at the scene. Allegedly, the journalists, including Haroon, encouraged Ubaid to set himself on fire to pressure the authorities, promising to intervene and save him once the act was done. When Ubaid set himself alight, the journalists reportedly fled, leaving him to suffer severe burns before the police intervened. The complaint accuses Haroon and other journalists of complicity in the incident.
Despite Moaz’s account, video clips have surfaced showing Ubaid holding a petrol bottle and arguing with police, claiming he was waiting for media coverage. Haroon Ilyas, who was arrested after the incident, has denied any wrongdoing. His wife, Naila Haroon, insists that Haroon was merely doing his job as a journalist and has been unjustly detained. "Haroon refused to delete the footage as it was part of his professional duty, and he was wrongfully arrested under Section 302," she said. His colleague, Mian Shafique, was released the next day, while Haroon remains in custody.
Haroon, the sole breadwinner for his family, has been a journalist for nine years and currently works for Hum News. His arrest has sparked widespread calls for justice from human rights organizations and religious leaders. Muhammad Aftab Alam, Chief Executive of IRADA, has called for an impartial investigation into the matter. Rev. Amjad Niamat, Chairman of the Presbyterian Ecumenism and Human Rights Commission, highlighted the vital role journalists play in society and questioned why Haroon had been singled out for arrest when other journalists present were released.
The Christian community, including Haroon’s family and religious leaders, is calling for justice and Haroon’s release, insisting that he was performing his journalistic duties and had no involvement in encouraging the protest suicide.
As the case develops, human rights organizations and journalists’ unions are closely monitoring the situation, demanding that the investigation be conducted fairly and without undue pressure.
