PTI Politician’s Harassment of Female Journalists Sparks Outrage in Pakistan

September 12, 2024 – Pakistan – 

At a political rally in Islamabad on September 8, 2024, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur—a senior member of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s PTI—delivered a verbal tirade against female journalists, igniting concerns over media safety and incitement. Speaking to a crowd, Gandapur accused reporters of being “sellouts” for not covering PTI stories and invited supporters to join him in mocking them. He singled out one female presenter, calling her “transgender,” “corrupt,” and alleging she “performed journalism for money”—in an episode that press freedom groups branded a dangerous provocation.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), alongside its Pakistan affiliate PFUJ and major press clubs in Islamabad, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, condemned both Gandapur’s remarks and the broader rise in anti-media rhetoric, urging formal investigation and accountability. They emphasized that public figures must refrain from language that could incite violence or hatred against journalists.

Following the backlash, PTI’s media team attempted damage control. Chairperson Gohar Ali Khan issued an “unconditional apology,” acknowledging that Gandapur had “crossed the line.” Meanwhile, in an unrelated crackdown on PTI activities, authorities staged midnight raids on party offices and arrested several leaders—including Gohar Khan—purportedly in connection with rallies organized on September 10. Though Gohar Khan was later released, the actions highlight the volatile and legally fraught climate in Pakistan.

This incident comes on the heels of numerous threats and physical attacks targeting journalists during PTI-led protests in 2022 and 2023. Press crews covering demonstrations reported being harassed, beaten, and having equipment damaged. Female journalists, in particular, have claimed they were verbally abused or threatened. The IFJ warned that such patterns of violent coercion and political hostility pose a serious risk to journalistic freedom and public information rights in Pakistan.

Press freedom advocates are pressing for concrete action: a full inquiry into Gandapur’s remarks, safeguards for female reporters, and strong condemnation from political leaders. Without such measures, they argue, verbal attacks from influencers with wide-reaching platforms may embolden supporters to engage in harassment or violence. The IFJ stressed: “Hate speech against media workers intended to incite violence should be strongly condemned and investigated.”

Reference –

Pakistan: PTI politician endangers media workers with reckless attack – IFJ