Saturday, June 5, 2021
‘Worse day by day’: journalists speak out after Pakistani vlogger tortured - Opinion: Imran Khan promised us press freedom in Pakistan. Now journalists are under attack
As Imran Khan’s government moves to outlaw virtually any criticism, media figures fear ‘darkest era’ of press freedom.
Gathered before a solemn crowd, Hamid Mir, one of Pakistan’s best-known journalists, spoke defiantly. “Do not ever enter the homes of journalists again,” he said. “We don’t have tanks or guns like you, but we can tell the people of Pakistan about the stories that emerge from inside your homes.”
Mir may have been addressing journalists in Islamabad on Friday, but his words were not directed at them; they were a clear message to Pakistan’s all-powerful military establishment.
Days before, attackers had barged into the home of YouTube journalist Asad Toor, whose videos are critical of the ruling elite. They tied him up and tortured him, but not before allegedly introducing themselves as officers from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the shadowy security arm of the military.
“I was told that the army and ISI were not happy with my journalism,” says Toor after the attack. “While torturing me, they asked me why I had named ISI and the army in my reporting.” The Pakistan authorities have denied all involvement and claimed Toor staged the attack in order to seek political asylum abroad. On Tuesday, the Federal Investigation Agency filed a case against Toor for “defamation” of a government institution. “There is no space for freedom of speech and dissent,” says Toor. “If one criticises the military and Imran Khan, they face physical and online attacks. The level of frustration has rocketed. They can’t tolerate criticism by journalists.” In response to the attack, Mir was among a group of journalists who had gathered to voice their anger at the increasing violence, intimidation and censorship of journalists who have dared to criticise Khan’s government.Mir’s speech, which was directed at the military without mentioning it by name, went viral. But on Monday, Mir was told that his popular chatshow, which has been running for two decades, was to be pulled from the news channel Geo TV. The last time this happened to Mir was in 2007, when military leader Pervez Musharraf, then president of Pakistan, declared a state of emergency and suspended the
constitution.
They have even shared the contact number of my daughter on
WhatsApp and asked others to threaten her
Hamid Mir, journalist
#Pakistan - Only #PPP's economic policies can take country forward: Bilawal
Bilawal Bhutto, in a statement, said that PPP is the only party that formulates the budget while keeping in mind the monthly budget of a common man. Polices of right-wing parties intend to only benefit the elite class, he added.
Bilawal further said that People’s Party has always lived up to its promise of providing food, clothes, housing and employment to all citizens of the country.
https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/604731-Only-PPPs-economic-policies-can-take-country-forward-Bilawal
When PPP was the federal government, a typical family of five used to pay an average of Rs 3,500 house rent, but under PTI, it costs them Rs 22,000 – says Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari compared Prime Minister Imran Khan’s failed government with PPP’s past governments and promised that “Roti, kapra aur makaan” will be provided to citizens the day PPP comes into power.
In a statement issued from the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari explained how the predicaments in Pakistan’s current policies had affected livelihoods. “The policies of right-wing parties have failed,” declared Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, “Only the economic policies of PPP can take the country ahead.”
He further highlighted that in the past, only PPP’s economic policies managed to make a difference. The economic policies then were formulated keeping in mind the common man’s monthly budget. “The policies of right-wing parties only benefit the rich,” Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari pointed out. “History stands witness to the “Roti, kapra aur makaan” promises that the Pakistan Peoples Party fulfilled.” The PTI government, under the selected Prime Minister, on the other hand, has increased inflation to an extent where the monthly flour needs of a family of 5 are met at Rs 3,500. During PPP’s tenure, the flour needs of an ordinary family of 5 people cost Rs 1,975 per month.Drawing comparisons with the current inflation rate, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari revealed, “During the PPP regime, an ordinary family used to buy children’s clothes for Rs 600. It costs them Rs 3,600 today.”He further continued, “When PPP was the federal government, a typical family of five used to pay an average of Rs 3,500 house rent, but under PTI, it costs them Rs 22,000.” However, these alarming statistics will continue to worsen if the puppet Prime Minister is not held accountable. While articulating comparisons between the PPP and PTI, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emphasized how inflation caused by a global economic crisis during PPP’s tenure was followed by a 59% increase in the common man’s income.“The Pakistan Peoples Party increased salaries by up to 150% during its federal tenure so that the burden of the global economic crisis does not fall on the common citizen,” said Chairman PPP. “Inshallah, by forming the next government, Pakistan Peoples Party will continue to solve the basic problems of the people.”
He further highlighted that in the past, only PPP’s economic policies managed to make a difference. The economic policies then were formulated keeping in mind the common man’s monthly budget. “The policies of right-wing parties only benefit the rich,” Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari pointed out. “History stands witness to the “Roti, kapra aur makaan” promises that the Pakistan Peoples Party fulfilled.” The PTI government, under the selected Prime Minister, on the other hand, has increased inflation to an extent where the monthly flour needs of a family of 5 are met at Rs 3,500. During PPP’s tenure, the flour needs of an ordinary family of 5 people cost Rs 1,975 per month.Drawing comparisons with the current inflation rate, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari revealed, “During the PPP regime, an ordinary family used to buy children’s clothes for Rs 600. It costs them Rs 3,600 today.”He further continued, “When PPP was the federal government, a typical family of five used to pay an average of Rs 3,500 house rent, but under PTI, it costs them Rs 22,000.” However, these alarming statistics will continue to worsen if the puppet Prime Minister is not held accountable. While articulating comparisons between the PPP and PTI, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emphasized how inflation caused by a global economic crisis during PPP’s tenure was followed by a 59% increase in the common man’s income.“The Pakistan Peoples Party increased salaries by up to 150% during its federal tenure so that the burden of the global economic crisis does not fall on the common citizen,” said Chairman PPP. “Inshallah, by forming the next government, Pakistan Peoples Party will continue to solve the basic problems of the people.”
https://www.ppp.org.pk/pr/24973/