JournalismPakistan.com | Published October 27, 2022
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD—The unprecedented presser by two senior officers of the Pakistan Army on Thursday left journalists bitterly divided.
For the first time in Pakistan's history, Director General of ISI Lt. Gen. Nadeem Ahmed Anjum and Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) DG Lt. Gen. Babar Iftikhar held a press talk on the murder of journalist Arshad Sharif and the alleged confrontational narrative of former Prime Minister Imran Khan regarding the military.
Cyril Almeida, formerly of Dawn newspaper, came up with short and cryptic tweets. In one of the tweets, he said the former prime minister had won. In another, he simply said: "Liar, liar, pants on fire…"
In yet another tweet, he added: "IK is no democrat, Shahbaz craven, Nawaz ditched his politics, Zardari always on the look out for a deal - and yet the boys managed to screw this up epically..."
On the other hand, Muneeb Farooq of Geo News went along with the words of the army generals. In several tweets, he said the two officers destroyed the narrative of Imran Khan. "Pakistan Army Finally Says "Enough Is Enough." No more nonsense will be tolerated. Completely destroys PTI's & Imran Khan's narrative on Cipher & Arshad Sharif Sb's Tragic Death."
Anchor Moeed Pirzada was not impressed by the press conference. "With Apologies to DG ISPR, DGI & Gen. Bajwa, this press conference was as intelligent & credible as that of Faisal Vawda! Creating doubts about ARY, Salman Iqbal & Imran Khan about Arshad Sharif's gruesome murder is like blaming Bhutto for surrender in Dacca! Forgot to blame RAW?"
Senior journalist and analyst Mazhar Abbas feared tough days ahead for the former prime minister. "Tough days ahead for former PM Imran Khan after the unusual and unprecedented Presser of #DGISPR and DG ISI for the first time. How IK will response to sharp in-swinging yorker as things are getting serious in both Arshad Sharif case as well as IK's offer to the chief."
Journalist Imran Riaz Khan wondered why a presser by the senior military generals was against a political leader and party. He added this perhaps has happened for the first time in Pakistan's history.
Hamid Mir of Geo News thought that the DG ISI and DG ISPR took no names but also made no secret that they were talking about the former prime minister.
Anchor Asma Chaudhry, however, maintained that Imran Khan is winning the battle of nerves.
Veteran journalist Mariana Babar found DG ISI "very impressive." But on the other hand, Kamran Yousaf likened DG ISI's speaking style to that of the late actor Mohammad Ali.
Marvi Sirmed felt that the former prime minister had put the military leadership under pressure like no one else in Pakistan's history and feared he might be arrested. "The fact that DG ISI had to join @OfficialDGISPR in a houseful of a presser to defend their institution proves how effective Imran Khan's pressure tactics have been. No other politician would ever creep under generals' skin like this. Next we might hear he has been arrested."
Photo credit: Dawn
December 05, 2024: UNESCO and IRADA hosted a national consultation in Islamabad, calling for inclusive Internet governance reforms in Pakistan to protect digital rights, freedom of expression, and access to information through multi-stakeholder collaboration.
December 04, 2024: A viral video claiming journalist Matiullah Jan was expelled from PMA has been debunked by iVerify Pakistan. The video, edited with AI, originates from the drama serial Ehd-e-Wafa.
November 30, 2024: Journalist Matiullah Jan has been released from Adiala Jail after securing bail, ending fears of a potential transfer to Attock Jail. He expressed gratitude to supporters and shared light-hearted moments about his custody.
November 30, 2024: Daily Dawn condemns the arrest of journalist Matiullah Jan as a misuse of the law. The editorial highlights concerns over the state's weaponization of legal provisions against journalists, activists, and dissenters.
November 30, 2024: The Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court has granted bail to journalist Matiullah Jan in a case involving drugs and terrorism charges. He was released on a surety bond of PKR 10,000 following the suspension of his physical remand by the Islamabad High Court.
November 29, 2024: The Lahore High Court has ordered the production of journalist Shakir Mahmood Awan’s alleged kidnapper by Monday while summoning IG Punjab and demanding CCTV footage from Safe City.
November 29, 2024: Suno TV faces criticism for targeting senior journalist Matiullah Jan with a smear campaign following his controversial abduction and arrest. This raises serious concerns about media ethics and press freedom in Pakistan.
November 29, 2024: WISPAP has requested the Ministry of Interior to extend the deadline for VPN registration in Pakistan, citing the need to ensure compliance amid increasing VPN usage after platform bans.
December 05, 2024 Over 50 journalists protested in Kuala Lumpur against proposed amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act, which threaten press freedom. IFJ and NUJM urge the government to withdraw the bill and engage in stakeholder consultation.
December 04, 2024 The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 faces uncertainty as Pakistan's hosting rights clash with India's refusal to participate. A political and financial standoff unfolds.
December 03, 2024 Submit your work for the Global Shining Light Award by February 28, 2025. Celebrate investigative journalism from the Global South at the Kuala Lumpur conference.
November 21, 2024 Investigative journalist Rana Ayyub received over 200 threats after her phone number was leaked on social media by a right-wing content creator. IFJ and IJU demand Maharashtra authorities take immediate action against those responsible for this targeted online harassment.
November 20, 2024 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Germany is accepting applications for its 2025 Berlin Fellowship Program, offering journalists from crisis areas six months of digital security training, networking opportunities, and more.