Aaj News reporter Rehan Natiq was assaulted and detained by Lahore police when was covering a lawyers’ rally outside the Lahore High Court on Wednesday.

According to reports, Aaj News court reporter Natiq Rehan was performing his professional duties when police personnel stopped him, physically assaulted him and took him into custody.

According to Natiq Rehan, around 10 to 15 police officers beat him with batons and slapped him before confiscating his mobile phone and placing him in a prison van.

“I was covering the rally when 10 to 15 police personnel came and started assaulting me,” Rehan said.

The incident drew strong condemnation from journalist associations, including the Court Journalists Association and the Press Association of the Supreme Court, which demanded legal action against the police officials involved.

Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari condemned the assault and warned that journalists would launch a strong protest if action was not taken against those responsible.

Following intervention by journalists’ organisations, Rehan was released after being held in custody by the police.