Senior journalist Ijaz Ahmed, associated with GNN, allegedly abused by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan during a court hearing at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
FOE Link or motive by PPF
confirmedCase Update Status
Summary of Case
On September 29, 2025, senior journalist Ijaz Ahmed, associated with GNN, was allegedly verbally abused by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan during a court hearing at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. Ahmed was covering the proceedings when he posed a question to Khan, who reportedly responded with abusive language in front of other journalists and officials. Following the incident, Ahmed faced online harassment and threats on social media. The episode sparked widespread outrage among journalists and media bodies, who described it as an act of intimidation against the press. In response to the backlash, the National Assembly of Pakistan passed a resolution condemning the alleged verbal abuse and online threats against Ijaz Ahmed. The Parliamentary Reporters Association (PRA) staged a walkout from the National Assembly session, led by Chairman Tariq Sameer, and submitted a formal complaint to Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. The resolution urged authorities to ensure Ahmed’s security and directed the Cybercrime Wing to act against those responsible for threatening him. During the session, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, at the speaker’s direction, met PRA representatives and acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations, stating that journalists “hold a mirror to power” and must be treated with respect. PTI legislators opposed the resolution, but Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan reiterated the party’s “respect for the media’s role in public discourse.” National Press Club (NPC) President Azhar Jatoi and other officials condemned the incident, calling it an attack on press freedom and demanding an apology from the PTI leadership. PPP MNA Shazia Marri described Ahmed as a journalist of strong professional ethics, condemning the online smear campaign against him. Ijaz Ahmed later addressed the National Assembly, recounting his visit to Adiala Jail at the speaker’s request and explaining that Imran Khan had reacted angrily when questioned about the absence of PTI members in a delegation of opposition leaders. The Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) underscores that this case is directly related to journalism, as the verbal abuse and threats occurred while Ijaz Ahmed was performing his professional duties. PPF calls on all political parties to establish and enforce codes of conduct for their interactions with the media, emphasizing that respectful engagement with journalists is essential to press freedom and democratic accountability.
Category of Incident
Harassment; Threat
ICCS Status
ICCS Divisions: 02081- Harassment & 02089-Other acts intended to induce fear or emotional distres
ICCS Group:
ICCS Class:
ICCS Crime:
Reported By
Dawn
Date of incident
29
Month
September
Year
2025
Name of affected person
Ijaz Ahmed
Other affected persons
N/A
Name of affected organization
GNN
Other affected organizations
N/A
Action by
PTI founder, Imran Khan
City
Rawalpindi
Province
Punjab
Designation
Reporter
Professional category
Journalist
Age of victim
N/K
Marital Status
N/ACompensation Details
Amount of compensation announced by government: N/A
Date of compensation announcement by government: N/A
Date of compensation paid by government: N/A
Amount of compensation announced by others: N/A
Date of compensation announced by others: N/A
Date compensation paid by others: N/A
FIR Details
Was FIR registered ?: No
Court Details
Was case investigated ?: N/A
Court where case was presented: N/A
Name of prosecuting lawyer: N/A
Date of first court hearing:
Date of last court hearing:
Status of court case: N/A
Journalist Union Status
PFUJ
No version was recorded
APNS
No version was recorded
CPNE
No version was recorded
PBA
No version was recorded
Condemn Status
Colleague of victim
N/A
Employer organization
N/A
Press Club Status
Press club 1: National Press Club (NPC) President Azhar Jatoi and other officials condemned the incident, calling it an attack on press freedom and demanding an apology from the PTI leadership. PPP MNA Shazia Marri described Ahmed as a journalist of strong professional ethics, condemning the online smear campaign against him.
Press club 2: The Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) underscores that this case is directly related to journalism, as the verbal abuse and threats occurred while Ijaz Ahmed was performing his professional duties. PPF calls on all political parties to establish and enforce codes of conduct for their interactions with the media, emphasizing that respectful engagement with journalists is essential to press freedom and democratic accountability.
Press club 3: N/A