Journalists react to generals' presser

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 3 years ago

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

Read Next

JournalismPakistan.com launches dedicated Middle East section to deepen regional media coverage

 November 07, 2025: JournalismPakistan.com launches a Middle East section to expand regional reporting. New coverage will follow JP’s editorial SOPs—verification, balanced sourcing, and two-stage review—placed between Asia and World on the Home Page.

Russia slams Pakistan’s Frontier Post for ‘Western bias’; newspaper hits back

 November 07, 2025: Russia accuses Pakistan’s Frontier Post of anti-Russia bias; the paper defends press freedom and independence. A diplomatic clash over media narratives.

Javed Chaudhry signs off from Express News after 18 years on ‘Kal Tak’

 November 07, 2025: Veteran journalist Javed Chaudhry bids farewell to Express News after 18 years on Kal Tak, marking the end of an era in Pakistani television journalism.

Why only Nukta, Mr. Minister? Media workers question government's selective support

 November 06, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar’s job offer to Nukta staff draws criticism as hundreds of journalists across Pakistan face layoffs, salary delays, and job insecurity.

Information Minister Tarar announces jobs for all 37 laid-off Nukta employees

 November 06, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announces jobs for 37 laid-off Nukta employees, saying they will be placed at digital platforms within 48 hours amid growing media uncertainty.

Faisal Chaudhry’s viral one-liner on G for Gharidah steals the show

 November 05, 2025: PTI’s Faisal Chaudhry’s witty reply to Gharidah Farooqi on GTV’s “G for Gharidah” goes viral as a clip from their debate over the 27th Amendment sparks reactions online.

A digital dream falters: Nukta cuts 37 jobs in Pakistan after only one year

 November 05, 2025: Digital platform Nukta lays off 37 employees in Pakistan, including journalists and producers, highlighting the financial struggles facing new media ventures in a shrinking job market.

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.