ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN – Tensions flared in Pakistan’s National Assembly as parliamentary reporters staged a walkout—organized by the PRA Pakistan’s Election Committee—to protest the alleged verbal abuse and subsequent social media harassment of a journalist by the imprisoned founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Reporter Ahmed confirmed to Dawn.com that the incident occurred during an interaction at Adiala Jail, stating, “The PTI founder hurled abuse at me for asking questions.”
Responding to the protest, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq directed Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar to initiate talks with the protesting reporters. While addressing the assembly, Tarar acknowledged the reporters’ written complaint, assuring them, “It is your (reporters) right to protest and politics and journalism have a deep relationship.”
The Law Minister confirmed the severity of the claim: “A senior member of the PRA was involved in a verbal altercation at Adiala Jail with a senior leader who hurled foul language at him.” Though Tarar did not name the PTI founder, the context of the controversy was clear.
Tarar defended the fundamental role of the press in a democracy: “It is the job of reporters and journalists to criticise us and show us our reflection in the mirror. We should take this criticism to heart and not silence or attack them.”
The Minister also condemned the online backlash that followed the verbal exchange. “After the discussion and the way he (Ahmed) was abused, there was a social media onslaught targeting him,” Tarar stated, noting posts that read, “‘Look at this man’s face,’ ‘don’t forgive him,’ and ‘look what he said about our Quaid (Leader).'”
Tarar concluded his address by appealing to his fellow lawmakers for democratic conduct. “This is a distinguished House and I must request that we behave democratically,” he said. “We need to prove through our own attitudes that we listen to other people and that there is room for decency and politics in this House.”
