Journalists staged protests in both the Senate and National Assembly on Monday following controversial remarks made by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur at a rally the previous night in Islamabad, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
During the event, Gandapur accused certain journalists of being 'sellouts' and 'brokers,' triggering widespread condemnation from the media community.
In response to the uproar, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership swiftly offered an unconditional apology, attempting to de-escalate the situation.
At the Senate session, journalists boycotted proceedings to protest Gandapur’s remarks.
The boycott created a significant disruption, leading PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan to personally approach the protesting media representatives.
Offering a formal apology on behalf of the party, Gohar emphasized, "We respect the entire journalist community and deeply regret any hurt caused by the Chief Minister’s comments. His remarks were directed at only a few individuals and should not reflect on the entire media."
During his speech, Gandapur criticized the media, stating, "Nowadays, journalism is driven by money, and envelope journalists do not question those in power.
These are not journalists but rather individuals selling their loyalty for money.
This media is selling its conscience in exchange for cash; they are not practicing journalism but indulging in brokerage."
The reaction from the media was swift, with journalists expressing their anger and disappointment over the CM's statement, calling it a direct attack on the integrity of the press.
Numerous media organizations and journalist associations condemned the remarks, demanding an apology from Gandapur for his inappropriate language.
In response to the growing backlash, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan publicly apologized on behalf of the party and its leadership.
He expressed regret for the Chief Minister's remarks, stating that the comments were made in the heat of the moment and did not reflect the party's stance on the vital role of journalists in a democratic society.
Khan emphasized the importance of free media and acknowledged the valuable contribution of journalists in holding leaders accountable.
Despite the apology, the incident has led to renewed discussions about the relationship between political leaders and the media, with many calling for greater respect and understanding between both sides.
Gohar further clarified that Gandapur’s speech was politically charged and was not intended to cause long-term friction between the media and the government.
He added, "Our aim is not to escalate tensions. If we had any intention of resorting to force, we could have done so already, especially given the immense public pressure regarding the release of PTI founder Imran Khan."
Simultaneously, in the National Assembly, parliamentary reporters also initiated a boycott, halting coverage of legislative proceedings.
In response, the Leader of the Opposition, Omar Ayub, accompanied by Barrister Gohar, visited the media gallery to offer their apologies to the journalists present. Despite their efforts, the journalists maintained their demand for a direct apology from Ali Amin Gandapur himself.
In the wake of these developments, other prominent figures, including Senators Afnan Ullah Khan and Aon Abbas Bappi, also visited the press gallery, seeking reconciliation with the journalists and offering their support in easing tensions.
Furthermore, journalists raised concerns regarding their safety during the rally. According to reports, PTI workers had surrounded the DSNG (Digital Satellite News Gathering) vehicles at the event, creating an atmosphere of hostility.
Journalists voiced their fears that Gandapur’s inflammatory statements had placed them at risk, compounding the existing grievances against the party’s leadership.
As the protests continue, all eyes are on Gandapur, who has yet to issue a personal apology. Whether the PTI leadership's broader apology will be sufficient to quell the anger of the journalists remains to be seen.