RAWALPINDI, Feb 10 Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers on Wednesday manhandled journalists and snatched their cellphones before a press conference by MNA Hanif Abbasi at his office here on the Benazir Bhutto Road.

Mr Abbasi had invited journalists to his office at 330pm but when they reached the venue, they saw PML-N supporters occupying all the front seats.

When the journalists requested for some space to cover the event, the ill-tempered, unruly and foul-mouthed party workers started squabbling with them.

As journalists protested the unjustified rude behavior, the PML-N men started kicking and punching some reporters. Upon this, the newsmen boycotted the press conference, gathered outside the PML-N leader's office and chanted slogans against the discourteous attitude of PML-N supporters.

When the fight was over, Mr Abbasi reached the place and claimed that the troublemakers did not belong to his party, saying he would approach the police to register a complaint. He also asked the media persons to come inside his office in a vain attempt.

Soon after the incident, the journalists went to the Rawalpindi Press Club, and were followed by Hanif Abbasi and local MPAs. They regretted that the ugly incident occurred and said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif took serious notice of the issue and called for lodging an FIR with the local police.

Senate walkout Electronic and print media reporters on Wednesday staged a token walkout from the Senate press gallery in protest against what they termed torture and maltreatment of journalists during a news conference by PML-N MNA Hanif Abbasi in Rawalpindi.

Senator Pervez Rasheed of the PML-N informed the house that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had ordered an inquiry and the culprits involved in the incident would be brought to book.

Mr Rasheed condemned the incident and said the accused would be sidelined from the party. “Independent media is very important for parliamentary system in the country,” he added.