Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) foudning chairman Imran Khan has expressed his dissatisfaction with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s remarks regarding journalists.
In an informal conversation with journalists at Adiala Jail, Imran Khan was met with protests over Gandapur’s recent statement.
Responding to the concerns, Khan acknowledged that Gandapur’s comments were inappropriate and that he had spoken too much in the heat of the moment.
Imran Khan stated, “Ali Amin should not have made such remarks; he went overboard.” He reiterated that journalists are working under immense pressure, calling their reporting efforts a form of “jihad.”
Earlier on Sunday, K-P CM while addressing the rally at Islamabad’s Sangjani made severe allegations, labelling journalists as ‘sellouts’ and ‘brokers’. These statements were strongly condemned by reporters.
The next day, during a Senate session on Monday , journalists boycotted proceedings in protest against Gandapur’s speech. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar personally approached the journalists, offering an apology.
Simultaneously, in the National Assembly, parliamentary reporters also boycotted the session. Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub, accompanied by Barrister Gohar, visited the media gallery to apologise.
Journalists however had demanded a direct apology from Ali Amin Gandapur.
Meanwhile Imran in an earlier statement had defended Gandapur, claiming that he represented the sentiments of the nation.
The PTI’s former chairman had went on to criticise those who apologised for Gandapur’s remarks, calling them “cowards” who do not deserve to remain in the party.