ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday called anchorperson Sami Ibrahim following reports that Fawad Chaudhry, federal minister for science and technology, had slapped him at a wedding function recently to express his indignation over contents of a TV programme.
According to a statement released by the PM Office, the prime minister assured Mr Ibrahim that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf did not support any act by its members that injured an individual’s self-respect.
“The leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf does not support any personal action by its members that hurts another person’s sentiments and self-respect,” Mr Khan said.
“The government and the media are two parts of the democratic process,” said the premier in the statement, stressing that difference of opinions should not turn into a personal conflict.
Mr Ibrahim told Dawn he had filed a complaint with a police station in Faisalabad against Mr Chaudhry.
“But it was unfortunate that the police have so far not lodged an FIR over my complaint,” said Mr Ibrahim, adding, “If police do not register a case against a minister, how can we claim that all institutions are accountable under the law”.
The spat between Mr Chaudhry and Mr Ibrahim began earlier this month when the minister unleashed a Twitter tirade against the journalist for accusing him of plotting against the ruling party.
Mr Ibrahim replied to the minister’s remarks in a television programme on Bol TV and accused him of using state vehicles for personal purposes during his tenure as information minister.
After the incident, the ministry of science and technology issued a statement acknowledging that Mr Chaudhry had slapped Mr Ibrahim and that it was only a conflict between two individuals.
The statement issued by the ministry of science and technology said Mr Chaudhary reacted after another person tried to wound his self-esteem. “To term a patriotic Pakistani and holder of a government office an enemy agent is contrary to moral and journalistic ethics.”
Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2019
