Hameed Bhatti and Ammar Masood in a shouting match on TV

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 1 April 2019

During a talk show on Express News, Arif Hameed Bhatti and Ammar Masood engaged in a shouting match over their differing political views. The debate highlighted the accountability of journalists supporting the PTI amid Pakistan's economic struggles.

Summary

ISLAMABAD - ARY News analyst Arif Hameed Bhatti and columnist Ammar Masood were involved in a shouting match during a talk show on Express News TV as both traded barbs on their support for political parties.

Masood maintained that journalists who supported Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were now blaming it for incompetence. He added that such journalists and analysts were equally responsible for the economic situation that Pakistan faces.

This comment infuriated Bhatti. He questioned Masood’s journalistic credentials. He pointed out that if the PTI government was not delivering, why should he be blamed.

However, Masood maintained that those backing PTI were equally criminal and liable to be punished.

Bhatti shot back angrily, alleging that Masood takes monetary benefits from the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Commenting on the shouting match, journalist Hasan Zaidi asked on Twitter: “Arif Hameed Bhatti asks Ammar Masood what his credibility is to teach him journalism. Waisay, what exactly is Arif Bhatti’s credibility.”

Arif Hameed Bhatti asks Ammar Masood what his credibility is to teach him journalism. Waisay, what exactly is Arif Bhatti’s credibility? https://t.co/rMvDIGWP3r

— Hasan Zaidi (@hyzaidi) March 31, 2019

Columnist Ejaz Haider also jumped in. Replying to Zaidi, he said: “Shahji!! It’s called Bhatti credibility! It’s self-referential credibility. Aik tau app ko ‘kakh’ ka pata nahin ooper see tweetain kartay hain credibility ke hawalay se!”

Not to be left behind, journalist Matiullah Jan also criticized Bhatti. In a tweet in Urdu, he maintained that by shouting, he had exposed his upbringing and education.

He backed the assertion that Bhatti along with other journalists deceived the people and they were not regretting their role in getting PTI into the power corridor.

KEY POINTS:

• Arif Hameed Bhatti and Ammar Masood clashed on a talk show.
• Masood accused PTI-supporting journalists of economic accountability.
• Bhatti questioned Masood's journalistic credentials.
• Other journalists commented on the debate via social media.
• The exchange emphasized the responsibilities of journalists in politics.