MIRANSHAH: The Utmanzai tribal elders on Tuesday termed registration of a case against a journalist in North Waziristan as unjust and announced to conduct their own investigation into the matter.
Head of the Utmanzai elders, Mufti Baitullah, said in a statement that the first information report (FIR) lodged by a lady doctor Dr Naila Noor against journalist Noor Bahram would not be accepted under any circumstances.
He said the tribal elders would independently investigate the issue. If the journalist is found at fault, action will be taken against him in accordance with tribal traditions, he said, adding that if the allegations proved baseless, action would also be taken against Dr. Naila Noor and Station House Officer Laiq Marjan according to Utmanzai customs.
Mufti Baitullah stated that tribal elders stand shoulder to shoulder with journalists who highlight the problems of Waziristan and will not leave them alone.About a week ago journalist Noor Bahram visited the Miranshah Women’s Hospital after public complaints. A citizen had alleged that his wife was admitted to the hospital in critical condition but the lady doctor on duty, Dr Naila Noor, had not examined her even after 24 hours.
The patient’s family members were reportedly upset over the situation. During the visit, Noor Bahram contacted the hospital’s Medical Superintendent, Dr. Asif, by phone and informed him about the matter, requesting that he come to the hospital and hear the complaints against the doctor.
It is reported that he also told the MS that the patient had been present in the hospital for the past 24 hours without being examined by the doctor.The situation reportedly turned tense after Dr. Naila Noor accused the journalist of using abusive language and issuing threats, and subsequently got registered an FIR against him.
Journalists in Miranshah reacted to the development and staged a protest over the matter. They alleged that SHO Laiq Marjan registered the FIR against the journalist without conducting any preliminary inquiry, which they termed objectionable.
Journalists at the Miranshah Press Club demanded that the provincial police chief order a transparent inquiry into the incident as well as the role of SHO Laiq Marjan.They announced to boycott police-related news until an impartial investigation was initiated.
