Case Update Status

No legal action taken yet.

Summary of Case

"Former Prime Minister Imran Khan in a statement alleged that that journalists took bribes from the US embassy and were involved in a conspiracy against Pakistan without mentioning name of any journalist.

The Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) and National Press Club Islamabad, in a joint meeting, have shown extreme anger over allegations by former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

General Secretary RIUJ Tariq Ali Virk and former President PFUJ Afzal Butt said in a statement that if the PTI had solid evidence that any journalist had conspired against the Imran Khan-led government by taking money from the US diplomatic staff, then the names of such journalists should be shared with the National Press Club for further necessary action.

“However, if Imran Khan has leveled baseless allegations against journalists, our demand is to withdraw those within 24 hours and apologize to the journalist community; otherwise, we reserve the right to protest against the PM,” the statement said.

According to Butt, the beat reporters who cover the foreign ministry and embassies have to interact with the diplomatic staff of different countries to perform their professional duties. The journalists also meet the Pakistani ambassadors stationed in other countries worldwide.

“The purpose of the ambassadors’ meetings with the journalists is not to overthrow the governments. The allegations made by the premier against the journalists without naming anyone cast doubt on the entire journalist community.

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) president Shahzada Zulfiqar and secretary general Nasir Zaidi also expressed serious concern over the allegations levelled by former prime minister Imran Khan, without mentioning any name, that some journalists had received foreign funding and conspired against the country.

In a joint statement on Thursday, they said if the PTI had evidence that any journalist had conspired to topple the government of Imran Khan by taking money from foreign powers, it should inform the PFUJ leadership about the individual.

The PFUJ itself would take action against such elements, they said. “But if Imran Khan has made allegations against journalists without any evidence, he should withdraw these and apologise to the community.”

Mr Zulfiqar and Mr Zaidi said that journalists covering the ministry of foreign affairs and embassies had to stay in touch with the diplomatic staff of different countries to fulfil their professional duties."

Category of Incident

Defamation

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: 0209 -Defamation or insult

ICCS Group: 02099-Other defamation or insult

ICCS Class: N/A

ICCS Crime: Defamation or insult

Reported By

Journalism Pakistan

Date of incident

8

Month

April

Year

2022

Name of affected person

No person affected

Other affected persons

No other person affected

Name of affected organization

All media channels

Other affected organizations

No other organization affected

Action by

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan

City

Islamabad

Province

Capital Territory

Designation

Journalists

Professional category

Journalists

Age of victim

N/A

Marital Status

Compensation Details

Amount of compensation announced by government: No compensation announced

Date of compensation announcement by government: No compensation announced

Date of compensation paid by government: No compensation announced

Amount of compensation announced by others: No compensation announced

Date of compensation announced by others: No compensation announced

Date compensation paid by others: No compensation announced

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: No

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: No

Court where case was presented: Case not presented in any court

Name of prosecuting lawyer: Case not presented in any court

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: Case not presented in any court

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) president Shahzada Zulfiqar and secretary general Nasir Zaidi expressed serious concern over the allegations levelled by former prime minister Imran Khan, without mentioning any name, that some journalists had received foreign funding and conspired against the country.

APNS

CPNE

PBA

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

N/A

Employer organization

N/A

Press Club Status

Press club 1: "The Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) and National Press Club Islamabad, in a joint meeting, have shown extreme anger over allegations by former Prime Minister Imran Khan. General Secretary RIUJ Tariq Ali Virk and former President PFUJ Afzal Butt said in a statement that if the PTI had solid evidence that any journalist had conspired against the Imran Khan-led government by taking money from the US diplomatic staff, then the names of such journalists should be shared with the National Press Club for further necessary action. "

Press club 2:

Press club 3: