Viral Question, Sudden Exit: Journalist Azam Chaudhry tells his story

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published July 12, 2023

ISLAMABAD—Azam Chaudhry, who asked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about the restrictions on media and freedom of expression at Governor House in Lahore, said he was relieved of his contract as an analyst with the PTV after the premier' presser.

Giving his side of the story on the talk show Sawalnama on Suno TV, Chaudhry said he was hired as one of the analysts for the talk show Bakhabar on PTV in early 2022. "Analysts are engaged through an approval letter (by the PTV)," he said, adding that in May 2022, PTV contacted him to be one of the analysts. "I gave my consent, and I became part of the four-member panel for Bakhabar."

After The Express Tribune reported about Chaudhry's sacking, his question to the prime minister went viral.

In September 2022, he said he received a contract letter that stated he would get Rs18000 for each episode of Bakhabar. "My association with PTV was not limited to Bakhabar. I would participate in other discussions and programs."

On the day of the Prime Minister's presser at the Governor House, Chaudhry was to be one of three hosts for a special transmission with the premier. "I actually came to Governor House to be part of that special transmission."

He said when he asked the prime minister about the restrictions on media and the freedom of expression, a PTV official came right after the presser and told him that his name was dropped from the panel discussion with Shehbaz Sharif. Afterward, he said PTV did not invite him to the regular program Bakhabar. "When I tried to know the reason for not inviting me, I was told by reluctant officials that now nothing can be done about it."

Chaudhry said he asked the chief executive of Pakistan about the freedom of expression in the hope that he would address journalists' issues and end media restrictions. "But only minutes after I ask the question, the same restriction is applied to me. This shows that the government is in no mood to address this issue."

However, Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb denied sacking Chaudhry, saying he was never an employee of the state broadcaster.

He maintained that the decision to show him the door was taken in "24 seconds" and not 24 hours.

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