JournalismPakistan.com | Published September 19, 2021
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD—Geo News presenter Saleem Safi has apologized for sharing a fake picture of Shehryar Khan Afridi, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, being searched at the New York's JFK Airport.
According to Dawn, Afridi arrived in New York via flight QR-0701 (Qatar Airlines) at 3:15 pm on September 15. JFK sources claimed that Afridi was stopped for secondary screening when he failed to satisfy immigration officials at his first screening.
He was reportedly questioned for about an hour and allowed to enter when the Pakistan consulate in New York confirmed his credentials.
In his tweet in Urdu, Safi first blamed "some imposters" for a photoshop snap showing a humiliating check of PTI MNA, who has also served as federal minister.
He added that he regretted sharing the picture. However, in the very sentence, he taunted Afridi.
A known critic of the PTI government, Safi said he was happy that the Americans did not "recover" ten kg heroin from Afridi. He was referring to the case of narcotics against the PMLN MNA Rana Sanaullah when Afridi was the minister for narcotics.
However, many tweeple questioned Safi's journalistic credentials, wondering how he could not decipher a fake picture of the MNA. Others, however, maintained that the journalist has a personal grudge against the current federal government. Some shared the actual photo.
Later in an interview with Saama TV correspondent Abbas Shabbir, the Kashmir committee chairman said some people promote fake news. "I am here to highlight the cause of Kashmir. And my message to those spreading fake news is that it would not work."
He added that he had come to the US for the first time. "I spent the routine time at the airport as the first-time visitor has to. But the amount of filth in the form of fake news is disgusting."
April 30, 2025: Freedom of expression in Pakistan is under threat, as the 2025 Freedom Network report reveals increased arrests, censorship, and legal restrictions following amendments to PECA, posing serious risks to journalists and democratic values.
April 30, 2025: Dawn has criticized the Indian media's calls for war and condemned the banning of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, urging a rational response after the Pahalgam attack that left 26 dead.
April 28, 2025: India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including major news outlets and individual journalists, following the deadly Pahalgam attack. Tensions escalate as Islamabad demands a neutral probe.
April 23, 2025: Pakistani journalists respond in unison to a post hinting at a possible Indian military strike. Citing the 2019 ‘Swift Retort,’ they warn of a stronger response if provoked again.
April 21, 2025: After being expelled from PTI, MNA Sher Afzal Marwat launches personal attacks on journalists and Aleema Khan, sparking outrage on social media over his offensive remarks.
April 21, 2025: Journalist Sanaullah Khan reveals that the FIA has launched a financial crackdown on YouTubers by freezing the bank accounts of journalists and their family members—raising serious concerns over freedom of expression and legal process.
April 20, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz launched his fifteenth book, In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple and Triple Centuries 1876–2025, at an elegant Islamabad event, reflecting on cricket’s rarest feats and his journey as a scholar of the game.
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.
April 22, 2025 Once a beacon of hope for Pakistan's cricket revival, the Pakistan Super League now grapples with stagnation and moral compromises. Can this cultural symbol reclaim its lost soul?
April 21, 2025 An Italian newspaper, Il Foglio, successfully published a month-long AI-written insert and praised its irony and analytical abilities, while affirming that AI will complement—not replace—quality journalism.
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.