Brutal Attack Exposes Security Breaches at Peshawar Sports Complex”

Brutal Attack Exposes Security Breaches at Peshawar Sports Complex”

By Musarrat Ullah Jan

June 20, 2023, started like any other day for me, a dedicated journalist covering sports events and shedding light on issues within the sports and tourism sectors. Little did I know that this day would forever change my life.
After fulfilling my duties at the press club and meeting fellow journalists at the Peshawar Press Club, I proceeded to the Peshawar Sports Complex, as I often did, to cover a local inter-school sports competition organized by the Joint District Sports Directorate.

Upon capturing footage of the young athletes in action and offering my prayers in the mosque, I exited the complex through the gate. It was at this moment that an unidentified person, wielding a large stick, attempted to strike me.
Miraculously, I managed to shield myself by instinctively raising my hand, but the assailant persisted, viciously attacking me with the stick. In a state of shock and pain, I fled towards the gate, seeking help.
Fortunately, a vigilant caretaker from the sports directorate intervened, apprehending the attacker. The assailant incessantly accused me of being responsible for his brother’s death, creating a chaotic scene. Exhausted and injured, I found solace on a nearby chair while awaiting medical attention.

The assailant, not content with the initial assault, struck my knee with a wooden stick, rendering me unable to walk. Eventually, concerned bystanders rushed me to the hospital, where I continue to receive treatment for my injuries.
Shockingly, this was the third attack within the premises of the Peshawar Sports Complex. Just a week prior, a Waziristan footballer fell victim to a similar assault near the mosque adjacent to the sports directorate.
Additionally, a squash player was brutally attacked by a cleaner, resulting in a broken hand. These incidents, captured by CCTV footage, expose a suspect with a distinct short beard openly entering the premises and perpetrating violence without any apparent motive. Regrettably, the majority of security personnel stationed at the complex appeared complacent, allowing unknown individuals to trespass, commit acts of violence, and escape unhindered.

As a journalist with 29 years of service, I have focused my efforts on reporting the truth within the sports and tourism sectors, shedding light on issues such as sports scams, athlete mistreatment, and substandard construction practices.

My relentless pursuit of justice and improvement in these fields aims to safeguard the interests of athletes and ensure their well-being. It is concerning that despite the Ministry of Sports in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa being led by a retired captain and the Director General having a military background, such an incident could occur under their watch at the provincial sports directorate.

The presence of untrained daily-wage guards, equipped with no weapons and paid a meager sum of 25,000 rupees, further exposes the dire security situation.

The attackers at the gate deliberately concealed their identities, indicating a fear of recognition or a potential connection to individuals within the sports directorate. Their actions, along with the false accusation that I had caused their brother’s demise, suggest an attempt to gain sympathy. Throughout my three-decade-long career, I have earned respect through my dedication to journalism, despite facing taunts and belittlement from neighbors and relatives.

I remain unknown to senior police officers and refrain from using personal connections to advance my career. Despite the challenges, I express gratitude for the genuine friendships I have forged along the way, both within and outside the field of journalism, and I pray for the success of my colleagues and friends in this world and the hereafter.

From my humble beginnings on Daily jiddat Peshawar, my unwavering commitment to journalism since 1993, spanning print, electronic, and social media platforms, speaks volumes about my integrity.
No one can claim to have ever witnessed me engaging in any form of dispute or violence. My perseverance and determination remain steadfast as I continue my mission to bring truth to light, undeterred by the heinous attack I endured.

It is high time that authorities take immediate action to address the security breaches at the Peshawar Sports Complex and ensure the safety of journalists, athletes, and visitors. My story is a testament to the dangers faced by those who work diligently to shed light on societal issues.

Let us unite to demand justice and secure the sports complex, protecting the rights and well-being of all who enter its gates.
#JusticeForjournalist #SecureSportsComplexNow #pressfreedom