Hong Kong conviction of Jimmy Lai draws global criticism UNESCO report shows global decline in press freedom and safety HRW warns Middle East conflict strikes heighten risks for journalists Appeals grow for Vietnam journalist Pham Doan Trang's release Bangladesh police detain senior journalist after critical reports Hong Kong court convicts Jimmy Lai of sedition and collusion Pakistan’s ad ban on Dawn sparks media freedom concerns Belarus journalist Maryna Zolatava freed after four years Tunisia protests revive press freedom concerns PFUJ raises alarm over pressure on Dawn Media Group Hong Kong conviction of Jimmy Lai draws global criticism UNESCO report shows global decline in press freedom and safety HRW warns Middle East conflict strikes heighten risks for journalists Appeals grow for Vietnam journalist Pham Doan Trang's release Bangladesh police detain senior journalist after critical reports Hong Kong court convicts Jimmy Lai of sedition and collusion Pakistan’s ad ban on Dawn sparks media freedom concerns Belarus journalist Maryna Zolatava freed after four years Tunisia protests revive press freedom concerns PFUJ raises alarm over pressure on Dawn Media Group
Logo
Janu
Journalism's silent partners

KP official abuses and threatens DawnNews bureau chief

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 5 years ago

Join our WhatsApp channel

KP official abuses and threatens DawnNews bureau chief

PESHAWAR—Dilroz Khan, Chairman of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister's Complaint and Redressal Cell, abused and threatened Ali Akbar (pictured), a senior journalist and bureau chief DawnNews in Peshawar, for questioning about faulty buses of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service.

On Friday, Akbar said in a tweet, along with a picture of the official, that "This is Dilroz; the man behind the purchase of BRT buses… when asked him about the conditions of buses so he threatened me of teaching a lesson."

The Peshawar BRT, one of the major projects of the KP government, was launched on August 13. The project was completed at the cost of Rs 69 billion in 36 months. However, three buses have caught fire since its launch.

Talking to JournalismPakistan.com, Akbar said: "When I asked Dilroz about faulty buses, he threatened and abused me, saying I will teach you a lesson this time that you will remember."

Akbar said he did a story months ago about Dilroz's illegal deal of Auqaf's land linked with DHA. "He offered me money for not doing the story, but I filed it and foiled his game."

Akbar said that as a chartered accountant, Dilroz visited China in connection with the purchase of buses, and also inspected them.

Dilroz, he said, was appointed as chairman Chief Minister's Complaint and Redressal Cell by then KP government for three years, but he has been working in the same position for seven years. "The present government tried to remove him but failed," he added.

           

           

           

Don't Miss These

Newsroom
Hong Kong conviction of Jimmy Lai draws global criticism

Hong Kong conviction of Jimmy Lai draws global criticism

 December 15, 2025 Hong Kong’s conviction of Jimmy Lai under the national security law sparks global condemnation from governments and rights groups, intensifying debate over press freedom and judicial independence.


UNESCO report shows global decline in press freedom and safety

UNESCO report shows global decline in press freedom and safety

 December 15, 2025 UNESCO report shows global press freedom and journalist safety declining as self-censorship rises and media economics falter, posing growing risks to independent journalism.


HRW warns Middle East conflict strikes heighten risks for journalists

HRW warns Middle East conflict strikes heighten risks for journalists

 December 15, 2025 Human Rights Watch updates warn that attacks on civilian infrastructure in Lebanon and frontline areas are increasing risks for journalists, complicating access, verification, and newsroom safety planning.


 Iran signals media and tourism push to reshape global image

Iran signals media and tourism push to reshape global image

 December 15, 2025 Iran’s government says it will align its media and tourism messaging to rebuild its global image after regional conflicts, signaling an expanded state-led narrative and new challenges for journalists.


Appeals grow for Vietnam journalist Pham Doan Trang's release

Appeals grow for Vietnam journalist Pham Doan Trang's release

 December 15, 2025 International rights groups mark the anniversary of Pham Doan Trang’s sentence, renewing calls for her release and highlighting ongoing risks to press freedom and independent reporting in Vietnam.


Popular Stories