PESHAWAR: Journalists boycotted covering the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly’s sitting on Tuesday over the alleged derogatory remarks of a Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F lawmaker against them.

“The journalists only occupy seats, parking areas and enjoy refreshments, but there is no coverage of the proceedings in the media. If they continued in this way, we will take action against them,” MPA Munawar Khan of JUI-F, said while speaking on a point of order.

“We will think what we can do against journalists if they don’t give proper coverage to the assembly’s proceedings,” he added.

His remarks offended the media persons who staged a walkout. Journalists demanded that the MPA should tender apology and give assurance on the floor of the House that he would not use such language against media men in future.

However, the lawmaker showed stubbornness and refused to withdraw his remarks, arguing that he didn’t say anything wrong.

Shah Hussain Khan of JUI-F and other members from the treasury and opposition regretted the remarks of their colleague and requested journalists to end the boycott. Shah Hussain assured that he would tender apology on behalf of Mr Khan.

But, the journalists insisted that they would end boycott only when Mr Khan himself asked the speaker to expunge his remarks from the House’s proceedings. Speaker Asad Qaisar, who was presiding over the sitting, nonetheless, didn’t take notice of Mr Khan’s remarks.

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2015