PTI announces boycott of select TV anchors and talk shows
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 18 December 2025 | JP Staff Report
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Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf has announced a boycott of selected television anchors and their shows following criticisms of media bias. The decision stems from the party's frustration with the limited coverage of its perspectives in mainstream media.Summary
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf on Thursday announced a boycott of several prominent television anchors and their current affairs talk shows, escalating tensions between the opposition party and sections of Pakistan’s broadcast media.
In a circular issued by the party’s Central Media Department, PTI said its Core Committee had unanimously decided to stop engaging with the listed programs and directed all party spokespersons and leaders not to appear on them.
Programs and anchors named in the circular include Kamran Shahid’s On the Front on Dunya News, Adil Shahzeb’s Live with Adil Shahzeb on DawnNews, Munib Farooq’s Mera Sawal on Samaa News, Shahzeb Khanzada’s Live with Shahzeb Khanzada on Geo News, and Salim Safi’s Jirga, also aired on Geo News.
The party did not publicly elaborate on specific reasons for selecting the anchors or shows, but the move reflects PTI’s broader criticism of what it describes as biased television coverage and limited space for its perspective on mainstream news channels.
Additional name added through X post
Separately, PTI lawyer Naeem Haider Panjutha added another name to the boycott list in a post on X, calling on party leaders to also avoid appearing on the talk show hosted by Gharidah Farooqi.
The social media post was not part of the official circular but was shared widely by PTI-affiliated accounts, signaling internal alignment with the expanded call for disengagement from certain television platforms.
The boycott announcement underscores ongoing strains between political parties and broadcast media in Pakistan, where talk shows remain a central forum for political debate, messaging, and public accountability.
PHOTO: AI-generated; for illustrative purposes only
Key Points
- PTI announced a boycott of specific TV anchors and talk shows
- The decision was made unanimously by the party's Core Committee
- Party leaders and spokespersons were instructed not to appear on the listed programs
- An additional anchor's show was included via a social media post
- The boycott highlights ongoing tensions between political parties and broadcast media in Pakistan
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