Shocking scenes ensued outside the Supreme Court as a journalist engaged in a verbal brawl with former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry.
PTI leaders Fawad Chauhdry and Asad Umar were addressing a press conference. After Asad Umar finished speaking, Fawad Chaudhry took over and began his media talk. However, journalist Matiullah Jan interrupted Fawad Chaudhry and directed his questions toward Asad Umar.
The journalist was told to take Fawad Chaudhry’s statement first. However, he refused to back down. Matiullah Jan’s persistent questioning resulted in Fawad Chaudhry losing his temper.
Read more: Understanding the role of Pakistani media in promoting bullying
The situation got tensed after Fawad termed the senior journalist ‘rented journalist’ upon perpetually trying to ask questions despite the former’s demand to ask questions after addressing the media. To clarify, it is a standard procedure that a Q&A session begins after the completion of all statements.
Moreover, Matiullah Jan stood in front of Fawad Chaudhry and began directly confronting him. The PTI leader and the journalist began shouting at each other and used inappropriate words. Asad Umar intervened and requested the men to calm down. Furthermore, other journalists present also asked Fawad Chaudhry to apologize to Matiullah Jan. Some even requested the journalist to move aside so that Fawad Chaudhry could complete his briefing.
Needless to say, the situation turned intense. Moreover, as Fawad Chaudhry carried on with his press conference, Matiullah Jan took all the mics and put them on the ground. After, the PTI leaders left and went inside the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court is currently hearing the sou motu case about the legality of the situation that emerged after the National Assembly Deputy Speaker’s ruling rejecting the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan
https://twitter.com/FactCheckAsia/status/1511599476552736769?s=20&t=cnr7mzJ6DDsrtUt1upEV4w
صحافیوں کا فواد چوہدری سے الفاظ واپس لینے کا مطالبہ
فواد چوہدری نے معافی مانگنے سے انکار کردیا#Matiullahjan @Matiullahjan919 @Afzalbutt01 @shahrykhan pic.twitter.com/wcQP4wkKXX— Ghazanfar Abbas (@ghazanfarabbass) April 6, 2022
Twitter divided over the incident
The incident has left everyone shocked. It has also divided the journalistic community. While some condemned Fawad Chaudhry, others stated that Matiullah Jan should not have behaved the way he did.
Secretary-General of the Pakistan Union of Journalists Rana Azeem said journalists should first let political leaders complete their media briefing, then ask questions. He also said that it is not a journalist’s job to snatch away the microphones, or use abusive words.
“Such acts bring our journalism into question,” Rana Azeem said while talking about the incident on a private news channel.
Rana Azeem’s sentiments were also voiced by other journalists on Twitter.
Matiullah Jan too pushed Fawad Chaudhry a little too hard. As a reporter, you can ask as many questions as you want but you can't force anyone to answer.
— Roohan Ahmed (@Roohan_Ahmed) April 6, 2022
On the other hand, there were journalists who supported Matiullah Jan as well. They claimed Fawad Chaudhry should not have verbally abused Matiullah Jan. Journalists also called to boycott Fawad Chaudhry.
Read more: Understanding the hypocrisy of Western Media
I stand with @Matiullahjan919 ..and journalists shall boycott fawad Chaudhry
— Sabir Nazar (@sabirnazar1) April 6, 2022
The audacity of Fawad Chaudhry calling Matiullah "Kiraye Ka Tattu. Fawad Chaudhry has changed 4 parties in his life on the other hand Matiullah Jan was abducted for his principles.
— Muhammad Zain (@zain175) April 6, 2022
Fawad Chaudhry under-estimated journalists community. Qasim Suri was not present there to help him. He forgot that he was no more information minister. @Matiullahjan919 only asked him a question about Farah Khan but he never wanted to respond and declared him rented journalist. https://t.co/p5oQc3X5XR
— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) April 6, 2022