A staffer of local English language daily The Express Tribune was allegedly beaten up by the guards of an influential politician belonging to Pakistan Muslim League (Functional) after the reporter objected to his rash driving in Karachi on Saturday, police said.

Narrating the incident, SSP South Saqib Ismail Memon told Dawn that according to Zubair Ashraf, he was on his way to his office along with photographer Ather Khan on a motorbike. When they reached National Medical Centre (NMC) on main Korangi Raod, the convoy of PML-F Karachi president Yasir Ali Shah was passing through the road in a rash manner.

According to a Tribune report, Shah was travelling in a black Toyota Land Cruiser and was escorted by seven to eight Vigos and mobile vans, with dozens of armed guards.

The report quoted Ashraf as saying that the vehicles in Shah's convoy tried to overtake all other vehicles in front of NMC Hospital.

"Many motorists, mostly motorcycle riders, narrowly escaped being hit by the escort vehicles, as they kept pushing everyone aside to secure Shah, who himself was driving the vehicle."

As the journalist raised his objections over their manner of driving, the private security guards in the politician's convoy started beating him up with batons, causing him injuries.

The incident prompted the authorities to take its notice.

SSP Memon said he visited the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) where the journalist was sent for a medical examination.

He said that medical examination of the journalist has been carried out and the police concerned would lodge a First Information Report (FIR) when he files an application to this effect.

When contacted by The Express Tribune, the PML-F leader admitted that the vehicle belonged to him and he himself was driving it, the report said. While claiming he was not aware of the guards' mishandling of Ashraf, Shah said he would take notice of their behaviour.

Journalists condemn incident

The Karachi Union of Journalist has "strongly condemned" the alleged assault on Zubair Ashraf, a statement issued by the body said.

"Inhuman torture on the journalist was not only highly deplorable, but also duly exposed the curse of VIP culture in our society," the statement quoted KUJ members as saying.