ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution condemning the alleged verbal abuse of senior journalist Ijaz Ahmed by PTI founder Imran Khan during court proceedings at Adiala Jail. The resolution also denounced the subsequent social media campaign against Ahmed and other journalists, and demanded immediate protection for media professionals.
The House declared that misbehavior with journalists and online trolling were “undemocratic practices” that undermine freedom of the press. It also called for legal action against those responsible for targeting reporters online. Furthermore, the resolution demanded a high-level investigation into the killing of Karachi-based anchorperson Imtiaz Mir, describing his murder as a serious attack on press freedom.
During the proceedings, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar acknowledged the written complaint submitted by the Parliamentary Reporters Association (PRA). He confirmed that Ahmed had been verbally abused by a senior political leader at Adiala Jail, though he avoided naming Imran Khan directly. “It is the job of journalists to criticise us and hold us accountable. We must accept this criticism instead of silencing them,” Tarar stated.
The law minister further said Ahmed had been harassed on social media following the altercation, with posts inciting hatred and calling for action against him. “We must behave democratically and prove that there is room for decency and tolerance in politics,” he added.
PPP’s Shazia Marri strongly condemned the incident, describing Ahmed as a respected journalist in Islamabad with roots in Sindh. “Journalists bring national issues to light and often face grave challenges in the line of duty,” she said. “Making them targets of hate campaigns is unacceptable.”
Ahmed later addressed the assembly himself, stating that he had gone to Adiala Jail on the request of the speaker’s office to hear Imran Khan’s grievances about his detention. “Instead of answering, he hurled abuse at me,” Ahmed told lawmakers. He added that Khan had demanded a resolution in the National Assembly regarding his treatment in jail and called for a Sindh government probe into the murder of anchorperson Imtiaz Mir.
MQM lawmaker Syed Aminul Haque also backed Ahmed’s account, claiming that Imran Khan had issued threats along with verbal abuse. “Afterwards, we saw an online campaign targeting him and even attempts to trace his family address,” Haque said. “This is against democratic values.”
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan urged the House not to adopt the resolution, arguing it would damage the atmosphere. However, the speaker pressed ahead, asking: “If you say no, does that mean what happened with Ijaz Ahmed was right?” The resolution was ultimately adopted amid loud protests.
The development underscored growing concerns over the treatment of journalists in Pakistan and renewed calls for safeguarding press freedom.
Earlier, Members of the Parliamentary Reporters Association (PRA) staged a walkout from the National Assembly on Monday, condemning the alleged verbal abuse of senior journalist Ijaz Ahmed by PTI founder Imran Khan during court proceedings inside Adiala Jail.
Ahmed alleged that Khan hurled offensive language at him when he posed questions during a hearing. The controversy deepened after PTI’s official social media team circulated Ahmed’s photo, warning of dire consequences. The incident has sparked outrage in journalistic circles, with reporters terming it an attack on press freedom.
Adding to the tensions, Khan’s sister Aleema Khan also lashed out at journalists for their questioning, further straining relations between the PTI leadership and media representatives.
In Monday’s National Assembly session, Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq directed Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar to hold dialogue with the PRA. Reporters maintained that their protest was not against any political party but to safeguard dignity and independence of the press.
