Journalists demand an apology after minister's thoughtless response to a reporter's question

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 8 January 2019

Local journalists protested against Punjab Information Minister Fayazul Hasan Chohan's remarks during a memorial for Qazi Hussain Ahmed. They are demanding an apology for his disrespectful response to a reporter's question.

Summary

LAHORE - Local journalists on Tuesday recorded a strong protest and demanded an apology from Punjab Information Minister Fayazul Hasan Chohan’s over his crass remarks during a memorial reference for late Qazi Hussain Ahmed.

A journalist requested the minister to respond to the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief’s statement alleging that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) promise of turning the country into a Medina-like state is baseless as the government did not even take a single step for it.

Chohan, rather than responding to the question, lambasted the journalist, saying he should feel ashamed for having asked such a question.

“Media should not be an unguided missile. They should know what to ask and where to ask,” said the minister. “It should not ask questions which can raise conflict.”

It appears that the PTI leader has a penchant for issuing such remarks, which eventually create controversy for the party and the government.

The minister, earlier, was forced to tender an apology for his derogatory statements on female artists and news channels.

The minister had abused a private TV channel’s technical staff in reaction to being asked by a talk show host about his controversial remarks in the past. - INP/Photo: Twitter (@Fayazchohanpti)

KEY POINTS:

• Journalists protested in Lahore against the minister's remarks.
• Chohan criticized a journalist for questioning PTI's promises.
• This is not the first time the minister has faced backlash for his statements.
• Chohan had previously apologized for derogatory comments about women and media.
• His rhetoric continues to spark controversy for the PTI party.