Imran Khan condemns attacks on media

The IFJ welcomes the outcome of a of a meeting between the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and the chairman of opposition party Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, on Friday, September 19, to draw attention to the recent attacks on journalists and media across Pakistan at opposition party rallies.

The PTI has been demonstrating against the government since August 14 in the capital Islamabad. During rallies demonstrators have repeatedly attacked journalists, media and media staff.

The increased hostility against media prompted the IFJ to issue a letter to PTI leader Imran Khan, along with letters to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and PAT leader Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri.

In the letter, the IFJ wrote: “On a number of occasions, your supporters have shown intolerance towards the media and have attacks journalists and media workers. The IFJ is seriously concerned by these attacks and condemns the violence used against journalists who are just doing their job.”

During the meeting with the PFUJ delegation, Khan condemned the attacks including the attack in the office of Geo News TV and assured his party’s cooperation to stop such incidents in future.

The IFJ welcomes the assurance by Khan and hopes that incidents of violence against journalists from cadres of his party will not continue.

Incidents of threats and attacks on the journalists have increased in recent times as the opposition parties, including the PTI, intensified the demonstrations against the government. During demonstrations many journalists, media staffs and media houses have come under attack from the state and opposition.

The PFUJ has begun demonstrating and protesting against the attacks across Pakistan.
Source : IFJ