Pakistan’s first Sikh TV Anchor Harmeet Singh alleges police raid on office, seizure of computers and cameras
Babushahi Bureau
Islamabad (Pakistan), September 2, 2026: Pakistan’s first Sikh television anchor, Harmeet Singh, has renewed allegations that Islamabad Police raided his small media office and seized computers, cameras and other equipment, following his removal from television and amid what he describes as pressure over his independent journalism.
In a video posted on his X account, Singh said he had always attempted to present a positive image of Pakistan and denied ever engaging in propaganda against the state. He said his journalism had focused on issues including democracy and the supremacy of the Constitution, which he claimed had made him unpopular with influential quarters.
Showing the condition of his small office in the video, Singh said the premises had previously housed five computer systems used by three people. He alleged that police took away all the computers along with cameras, microphones, batteries, prompters and other studio equipment, leaving only a printer behind.
Singh also alleged that his colleagues, journalists Razi Tahir and Muhammad Saif, were detained during the incident and claimed that they were subjected to physical assault. He further said Tahir’s laptop and mobile phone were confiscated.
The allegations follow an earlier report published by JournalismPakistan on August 2, which said Singh had alleged that Islamabad Police raided his office without a warrant, detained Tahir and removed computers and other equipment. The report said the police had not publicly responded to the allegations and that the claims could not be independently verified at the time.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) also reported on August 5 that Razi Tahir and Muhammad Saif were taken from their Islamabad office on August 1 by men wearing police uniforms. According to CPJ, Islamabad Police had not acknowledged holding the two journalists at that time.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) similarly reported that Tahir and Saif were reportedly taken from their office in Islamabad on August 1 while covering developments linked to protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Singh has now claimed that nearly a month after the reported raid, he is still seeking the return of the equipment allegedly seized from his office. JournalismPakistan reported on August 31 that Singh said he had repeatedly approached the police for the return of computers, cameras, batteries and other equipment but had not received them back.
The allegations have also drawn fresh attention to concerns over press freedom and the safety of journalists in Pakistan. The Times of India, in a report published on September 2, said Singh had alleged that he was systematically targeted after being removed from television and subsequently stopped from appearing as a political analyst on various channels.
However, the allegations concerning the raid, seizure of equipment and treatment of the journalists have not been independently established. Islamabad Police has not publicly issued a detailed response addressing Singh’s specific claims, according to the reports reviewed.