PM's special assistant alleges Arif Hameed Bhatti is a drunkard

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 19 September 2019

Naeem ul Haque has accused journalist Arif Hameed Bhatti of being a drunkard in a public tweet, which has led to backlash from various media figures. Bhatti has publicly challenged the claims and offered to undergo a medico-legal test.

Summary

ISLAMABAD — Some journalists are seemingly angry with Naeem ul Haque (pictured), special assistant to the prime minister after he alleged that GNN Television’s Arif Hameed Bhatti is a drunkard and lies about him.

In a tweet, Haque said: “That unemployed drunk Arif Hamid Bhatti has been talking nonsense against me after finishing his bottle every evening. So far he has uttered complete nonsense and lies. Let us pray for him to get rid of his drinking and lying. May he be more at peace with himself. Ameen.”

That unemployed drunk Arif Hamid Bhatti has been talking nonsense against me after finishing his bottle every evening. So far he has uttered complete nonsense and lies. Let us pray for him to get rid of his drinking and lying. May he be more at peace with himself. Ameen.

— Naeem ul Haque (@naeemul_haque) September 18, 2019

Bhatti quickly offered himself for any medico-legal test but with the condition that the special assistant to the prime minister accompanies him. “I am ready to go to any medico-legal facility for my test. Naeem ul haq shab will u accompany me for your examination?”

I am ready to go to any medico - legal facility for my test. Naeem ul haq shab will u accompany me for your examination? https://t.co/9DihhcxoGC

— Arif Hameed Bhatti (@arifhameed15) September 18, 2019

In his threatening tweet, analyst Amir Mateen offered to share some secrets about Haq. “Neither is @arifhameed15 unemployed (he actually got promoted as President of GNN) nor a drunkard. Whereas I have confessions of more than one PTI elected members complaining about your late-night calls in abnormal state. Want me to share them?”

Neither is @arifhameed15 unemployed (he actually got promoted as President of GNN) nor a drunkard. Whereas I have confessions of more than one PTI elected members complaining about your late night calls in abnormal state. Want me to share them? https://t.co/4fKa2IIQ3R

— Amir Mateen (@AmirMateen2) September 18, 2019

Zarrar Khuhro readied himself with “*orders a ton of popcorn.”

Imtaiz Gul, another analyst thought Haq’s tweet was an embarrassment for the prime minister. “What an embarrassment for PM Khan coming from his most trusted aide? Arrogance and insulance at their worst”

Murtaza Solangi, a former head of Radio Pakistan, agreed. “This man is Special Asstt to Prime Minister. Look at his language. @ImranKhanPTI should feel embarrassed to have people like this guy around him.”

Mubashir Zaidi of DawnNews was sarcastic. Addressing the special assistant, he opined: “If you have ample time to hear him then you are drunk too.”

Journalist Owais Tohid backed Arif Bhatti. “In solidarity, with you @arifhameed15. Power of freedom of speech& expression is stronger than the lust of power (Even If) ’I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Photo: Twitter (@naeemul_haque)