Talat Hussain says offensive viral clip was edited out, not aired on Samaa TV
November 04, 2025: Talat Hussain denies airing the viral clip showing Sher Afzal Marwat’s vulgar remark, saying it was not part of his Samaa TV show.
JournalismPakistan.com | Published 6 years ago
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD - Journalists have backed Aaj TV presenter Asma Sherazi after she exchanged harsh words with Dr. Shahbaz Gill, a spokesperson for the Punjab chief minister, during a talk show hosted by Nasim Zehra on Channel 24.
After the talk show, Asma tweeted: “Quite disappointing that CM Punjab Spokesman @Shabazgil instead of arguing with logic and performance attached me professionally during @NasimZehra program on @24NewsHD and then launched a barrage of abuses on social media trough planted trolls. This is how they are dealing media.”
Asma got angry after Shahbaz maintained on the show that she supports Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.
During the exchange, Asma continued to get angrier and at one point alleged that Shahbaz got the post of spokesperson because of his “flattery skills.” At this juncture, Zehra took a break.
In his reply, Dr. Shahbaz said: “I respectfully disagree @asmashirazi Sahiba. I always respect u & will never pass any bad comment or encourage anyone for such thing. Although you passed Personalcomments on me like (chaplusi day job, sharam, taat ki soch) But it’s ok. must be out of anger. No hard feelings.”
Daily Times Editor Raza Rumi termed Asma a fearless journalist. “Her fault is that she is a democrat & does not pander to forces of authoritarianism. Journalists have to question and uphold constitutional rights for there can be no #freepress w/t that. Stop harassing her.”
.@asmashirazi is a fearless journalist, speaks her mind & reports facts. Her fault is that she is a democrat &does not pander to forces of authoritarianism. Journalists have to question and uphold constitutional rights for there can be no #freepress w/t that.
— Raza Ahmad Rumi (@Razarumi) February 4, 2019
Stop harassing her. https://t.co/HPr5GENgy7
Fahd Husain, Executive Editor of The Express Tribune also backed Asma. “Absolutely ridiculous. You responded like you should have Asma.”
Absolutely ridiculous. You responded like you should have Asma.
— Fahd Husain (@Fahdhusain) February 4, 2019
ترجمان ایسے ہوتے ہیں؟ https://t.co/WOfh1dbnlw
The News journalist Umar Cheema said Asma is a person of impeccable integrity and added that “those attacking her are only exposing their mindset. Fighting fascists back is the only way forward.”
Presenter Wajih Sani tweeted: “Shame on those trolling journalists. More power to Asma Sherazi.. she is one brave journalist.”
Senior journalist Nusrat Javeed also defended Asma. “He deserved it. Period. Wish you best of luck and strength.”
Dawn Columnist Zahid Hussain also termed Asma’s reply “appropriate.”
Zehra maintained that “attacking a journalist’s credibility with no real evidence is unacceptable.”
Photo: Twitter (@asmashirazi)
November 04, 2025: Talat Hussain denies airing the viral clip showing Sher Afzal Marwat’s vulgar remark, saying it was not part of his Samaa TV show.
November 03, 2025: PFUJ recalls November 3, 2007, as Pakistan’s darkest day under Musharraf, urging protection for journalists and the abolition of laws threatening press freedom.
November 02, 2025: PFUJ urges Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments to end Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists and ensure their safety and press freedom.
November 02, 2025: Impunity for crimes against journalists deepens worldwide as Pakistan reports a 60 percent surge in attacks and weak enforcement of safety laws.
November 01, 2025: Pakistan Press Foundation reports 137 attacks on journalists in 2025, highlighting rising threats, legal harassment, and censorship on the International Day to End Impunity.
November 01, 2025: A viral Samaa TV clip featuring MNA Sher Afzal Marwat’s crude remarks and Talat Hussain’s laughter raises questions about the declining ethics of Pakistani television.
October 31, 2025: Police foiled a plot to kill DawnNewsTV journalist Tahir Naseer in Rawalpindi after arresting suspects hired for Rs200,000. Naseer says threats followed his reporting.
October 31, 2025: CPJ calls on Pakistan to bring Imtiaz Mir’s killers to justice after the journalist was allegedly murdered by a banned militant group in Karachi.
November 05, 2025 The Pulitzer Center is offering global reporting grants for journalists worldwide, funding high-impact projects on underreported issues with rolling applications in 2025.
November 04, 2025 Journalist Rana Ayyub receives death threats over calls demanding a column on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots as CPJ urges swift action to protect journalists in India.
November 04, 2025 TV8 journalist Mariana Rata in Moldova receives a death threat after interviewing politician Renato Usatii on-air, raising concerns about journalist safety.
November 03, 2025 Global journalist unions condemn the Indonesian agriculture minister’s lawsuit against Tempo, calling it a threat to press freedom and demanding that the case be withdrawn.
November 02, 2025 Independent outlet All About Macau to halt print and online operations amid rising pressure, financial strain, and legal threats, sparking press freedom concerns in the city.