Washington, D.C. — The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has expressed grave concern over the latest allegations by Harmeet Singh, Pakistan’s first Sikh television anchor and a prominent independent journalist, regarding a police raid on his media office in Islamabad and the seizure of his professional equipment.According to reports published on August 31 and September 2, Harmeet Singh alleges that Islamabad Police raided his small media office and seized computers, cameras, microphones, batteries, prompters and other studio equipment. He has publicly questioned why his equipment was taken and has demanded its return. He has also alleged that colleagues were detained during the incident. These remain allegations and should be independently investigated.
NAPA Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal said the allegations are extremely serious because they involve not only the freedom of an individual journalist but also the rights and security of a member of Pakistan’s Sikh minority community.“If a journalist’s office has been raided and professional equipment seized, the authorities must clearly explain the legal basis for that action. No journalist should be left guessing why his equipment was taken or whether his journalism has made him a target.”Chahal said NAPA does not intend to prejudge the facts or accuse any individual or institution without evidence. However, the seriousness of the allegations requires an impartial investigation.
“We are not asking the Government of Pakistan to accept Harmeet Singh’s allegations without verification. We are asking the government to investigate them transparently and allow the facts to speak for themselves.”
Harmeet Singh has said that he was first removed from television and subsequently faced restrictions on appearing as a political analyst. He has described himself as an independent journalist and has said that his reporting has included issues concerning democracy, the Constitution and political developments in Pakistan. Recent reports say he believes the pressure against him is linked to his independent journalism.NAPA is particularly concerned because this is not the first controversy involving Harmeet Singh and his journalism. In 2023, he was removed from a television position following a dispute over a report concerning a political figure. In December 2024, the Committee to Protect Journalists reported that Pakistani authorities had summoned him over alleged anti-state rhetoric relating to his social-media activity.The latest office raid therefore raises questions that deserve clear answers.
Chahal said freedom of journalism cannot be selective.“A journalist does not lose his right to report independently because he belongs to a religious minority. A Sikh journalist must have exactly the same right to investigate, question authorities, express opinions and report news as any other Pakistani journalist.”NAPA also urged Pakistan’s media organizations, human-rights organizations and international press-freedom bodies to closely monitor the case.“If there is evidence of wrongdoing by Harmeet Singh, let the evidence and due process determine the matter. But if the allegations against him are unfounded, the government should say so publicly. What is unacceptable is a situation in which equipment is seized, a journalist is silenced and the public is given no transparent explanation.”Chahal said the matter has significance beyond one individual.
“This is not only about Harmeet Singh. It is about the message Pakistan sends to every minority journalist, every independent reporter and every citizen who wants to speak peacefully and lawfully. Suppressing questions does not strengthen a country; transparency does.”NAPA therefore calls upon Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and the Government of Pakistan to take immediate notice of Harmeet Singh’s allegations and ensure a credible, impartial and time-bound investigation.“Prime Minister Sahib, if Pakistan is confident that its institutions have acted lawfully, then an independent investigation should pose no problem. Establish the facts, publish the findings and protect the journalist’s rights. Justice must not depend upon whether the journalist belongs to the majority or a minority community.”NAPA reiterates that it respects Pakistan’s sovereignty and does not seek confrontation. Its demand is straightforward:
Protect journalists. Protect minority rights. Follow due process. Establish the truth.