AFP journalists in Türkiye win strike after pay dispute Why are media companies laying off journalists? Messi's farewell, Yamal's rise: Spain conquer Argentina in World Cup final Pakistan Media Monitor | Edition 4 | July 7-20, 2026 JP analysis: Legal pressure on journalists grows worldwide What is prior restraint in journalism and media law? Press freedom review: Governments tighten the screws on journalists China warns of retaliation over new US journalist visa limits Thailand urged to halt deportation of Chinese journalist Delhi HC warns press freedom is not a shield for irresponsible reporting Journalists question closed-door fuel price briefing None came before him, none will come after him: Farewell, Sir Garfield Sobers The JournalismPakistan Global Media Brief | Edition 29 | July 17, 2026 US tightens visa rules for foreign journalists Judge rejects bid to halt Paramount-Warner Bros. merger AFP journalists in Türkiye win strike after pay dispute Why are media companies laying off journalists? Messi's farewell, Yamal's rise: Spain conquer Argentina in World Cup final Pakistan Media Monitor | Edition 4 | July 7-20, 2026 JP analysis: Legal pressure on journalists grows worldwide What is prior restraint in journalism and media law? Press freedom review: Governments tighten the screws on journalists China warns of retaliation over new US journalist visa limits Thailand urged to halt deportation of Chinese journalist Delhi HC warns press freedom is not a shield for irresponsible reporting Journalists question closed-door fuel price briefing None came before him, none will come after him: Farewell, Sir Garfield Sobers The JournalismPakistan Global Media Brief | Edition 29 | July 17, 2026 US tightens visa rules for foreign journalists Judge rejects bid to halt Paramount-Warner Bros. merger
Logo
Janu
JournalismPakistan Original

Shaheen Sehbai accuses prime minister of misinterpreting tweet

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 10 July 2023

Join our WhatsApp channel

Shaheen Sehbai accuses prime minister of misinterpreting tweet
Shaheen Sehbai stands by his unscripted interview discussing a historical shooting incident. He refutes claims made by Premier Shehbaz, asserting no connection to Imran Khan.

ISLAMABAD—Veteran journalist Shaheen Sehbai says he stands by his interview with Mooed Pirzada in which he narrated how a shooting incident in 1968 against then military ruler Ayub Khan started his downfall and added the interview was not scripted.

The interview led to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif alleging that his predecessor Imran Khan is engaged in "a vile, sinister & malicious campaign against COAS General Syed Asim Munir" through his "proxies." Imran Khan has termed the allegation "absurd."

General Ayub Khan was the first military ruler who ruled Pakistan from 1958 to 1969. The shooting incident occurred in a public meeting in Peshawar where President Ayub remained safe. Sehbai said he was present at that public meeting and was a witness to the shooting.

In his tweet on Monday, Sehbai, who is outside Pakistan and facing a treason case, wrote, "STRONGLY CONDEMN PM TWEET: I hereby state with full authority that my interview with @MoeedNj was not at all scripted."

He added that it was a regular interview and narrated the shooting incident in which Ayub Khan was not injured. Sehbai said Imran Khan has nothing to do with it. "We just started with my beginning as a journalist and narrated the Ayub Khan shooting story when the question of how long any reign of terror can last. I was an eyewitness. There was absolutely no involvement, discussion or even information to @ImranKhanPTI. There was just no question of the absurdly bogus nonsensical claim of a conspiracy, made under pressure and probably not even read by PM @CMShehbaz."

Sehbai maintained that the prime minister embarrassed himself and the army chief. "He had no clue of what the Tweet was saying and meant. The PM embarrassed and humiliated the Army Chief ONLY. All the moves boomeranged."

In an earlier tweet, Sehbai asked Prime Minister Shehbaz to "fire the idiot Who Wrote your Tweet…."

Key Points

  • Shaheen Sehbai defends his interview as unscripted.
  • PM Shehbaz accused Imran Khan of a malicious campaign.
  • Sehbai was a witness to a 1968 shooting incident.
  • He calls the prime minister's remarks absurd.
  • Sehbai criticizes PM for his understanding of the situation.

Ask AI: Understand this story your way

AI Enabled

Dig deeper, ask anything — get instant context, background, and clarity.

Not sure what to choose? Try one of these.

The AI generates results based on your selected options
Your AI-generated results will appear here after you click the button.

Disclaimer: This feature is powered by AI and is intended to help readers explore and understand news stories more easily. While we strive for accuracy, AI-generated responses may occasionally be incomplete or reflect limitations in the underlying model. This feature does not represent the editorial views of JournalismPakistan. For our full, verified reporting, please refer to the original article.

Dive Deeper

Pakistan Media Monitor | Edition 4 | July 7-20, 2026

Pakistan Media Monitor | Edition 4 | July 7-20, 2026

 July 20, 2026: During July 7-20, 2026 Pakistan's media faced legal action against journalists, expanded broadcast regulations, newsroom layoffs and surveillance concerns, revealing growing regulatory, economic and technological pressures on journalism.

CPJ urges Pakistan to lift Geo News suspension

CPJ urges Pakistan to lift Geo News suspension

 July 02, 2026: CPJ urged Pakistan to reverse PEMRA's 15-day suspension of Geo News' broadcast license, calling it a dangerous escalation of official interference with independent media.

Newsroom
AFP journalists in Türkiye win strike after pay dispute

AFP journalists in Türkiye win strike after pay dispute

 July 21, 2026 AFP journalists in Türkiye ended a 12-day strike after securing a labor agreement with a 27% wage increase, a month's bonus, €2,500 and enhanced allowances.


Why are media companies laying off journalists?

Why are media companies laying off journalists?

 July 21, 2026 Media companies are laying off journalists as advertising income falls, audiences shift to digital platforms, costs rise, and AI plus new business models reshape newsroom economics.


Messi's farewell, Yamal's rise: Spain conquer Argentina in World Cup final

Messi's farewell, Yamal's rise: Spain conquer Argentina in World Cup final

 July 20, 2026 Spain defeated Argentina in a dramatic World Cup final as Ferran Torres' extra-time volley sealed victory, capping Messi's farewell and Yamal's rise.


JP analysis: Legal pressure on journalists grows worldwide

JP analysis: Legal pressure on journalists grows worldwide

 July 19, 2026 JournalismPakistan finds governments increasingly using courts, surveillance, visa limits and regulation instead of overt bans to pressure journalists.


What is prior restraint in journalism and media law?

What is prior restraint in journalism and media law?

 July 19, 2026 Prior restraint is government action that stops publication or broadcast before it reaches the public, creating tensions between press freedom and security.


Popular Stories