"This was a pre-planned attack."
Journalist Tayyab Baloch has filed a complaint alleging assault by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers outside Adiala Jail.
According to his application, party members attacked him during Aleema Khan’s media talk, allegedly encouraged by lawyer Naeem Panjotha.
Baloch claimed that PTI MPA Tanveer Aslam, Azfar, and Toma restrained him while dozens of workers joined the assault.
He further alleged that over forty PTI supporters, reportedly led by Intisar Satti, physically beat him during the scuffle.
The journalist maintained that his mobile phone was snatched, his microphone destroyed, and two colleagues were also attacked.
Ejaz Ahmed and Faisal Hakeem, who tried to shield him from violence, were similarly manhandled by enraged workers.
In his statement, Baloch alleged that Aleema Khan became infuriated when asked about her alleged United States properties.
He further accused her of initiating a coordinated smear campaign online, circulating photos of journalists to discredit them publicly.
Baloch insisted: “This was a pre-planned attack.”
He demanded action against Aleema Khan, Naeem Panjotha, Intisar Satti, and others.
The confrontation followed heightened tensions after two women hurled eggs at Aleema Khan during a previous press interaction outside Adiala Jail.
That incident, which reportedly stemmed from Tayyab’s persistent questioning, left Aleema visibly shaken and quickly went viral online.
PTI workers allegedly attempted to control the briefing from the start, blocking Tayyab from raising questions.
When he pressed the same queries, the workers reacted angrily, sparking chaos that spiralled into physical confrontation.
Reportedly, no senior PTI leader intervened to stop the aggression, leaving journalists vulnerable to unchecked mob behaviour.
In protest, journalists boycotted Aleema Khan’s press conference, criticising PTI’s failure to rein in violent worker misconduct.
The Rawalpindi police confirmed last week’s egg-throwing suspects were women reportedly associated with PTI’s protest groups.
Journalists have demanded answers from Aleema Khan regarding allegations of property purchases raised on social media.
Tayyab Baloch alleged that after raising the question, he faced threats and organised campaigns aimed at silencing his reporting.
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— Zeeshan Gardazi ?? (@GardaziZeeshan) September 8, 2025
Meanwhile, the egg attack itself sparked bipartisan condemnation, with political leaders stressing respect and civility in politics.
Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal tweeted about the incident, saying:
“Shoes and ink were thrown, and abuses hurled at our leaders at the behest of PTI. I myself even survived an assassination attempt fuelled by PTI hate campaign.
“Yet, I unequivocally condemn this incident.
“Politics must remain a contest of ideas, not of violence or hatred. We should all work to keep it healthy and respectful.
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