Imran Khan to government: stop 'terrorizing' journalists

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 15 August 2022

Imran Khan has issued a warning to the government over its treatment of journalists. He highlighted ongoing threats and attacks against those supporting his narrative.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—Ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan has warned that the country will return to the "dark days of dictatorship" if terror tactics against the journalist community continue.

On Pakistan's 75th Independence Day, Khan took to Twitter, stating: "I want to warn our nation of an unprecedented crackdown campaign by 'Imported' govt & State machinery against media houses & journalists who are carrying PTI & my narrative to the public."

He urged the government to desist from targeting the media professionals carrying his message to the masses.

According to him, the current regime has launched an unprecedented crackdown on journalists supporting the PTI. He particularly mentioned Arshad Sharif and Sabir Shakir, two journalists associated with ARY News, who "had to leave the country fearing for their lives, while others faced threats, violent attacks and arrest."

"In my mass public campaign across Pak from next week, I will take up the issue of media freedom & freedom of expression. If we allow these terror tactics, designed simply to target PTI & myself, to succeed, then we will be returning to the dark days of dictatorship when there was no independent media & no room for freedom of expression," Khan said in another tweet.

KEY POINTS:

• Imran Khan condemns government tactics against journalists.
• Warns of a return to dictatorship if media freedoms are not upheld.
• Mentions specific journalists facing threats and exile.
• Plans to address media freedom in upcoming public campaign.
• Calls for an end to the crackdown on supportive media professionals.