ISLAMABAD: The National Press Club (NPC) management has restricted the entry of PTI leader Qasim Suri in the club, due to his statement against senior journalist Saleem Safi.

The NPC management termed the statement by Mr Suri as “an attack on press freedom”.

According to the statement issued by NPC President Anwar Raza, Secretary General Khalil Raja and Finance Secretary Nayyar Ali, hurling accusations at any journalist was not fair.

Such derogatory and unconstitutional language used by a lawmaker was not acceptable, it stated, adding: “If any person was aggrieved due to any journalist, legal measures should be adopted. But usage of derogatory language was not fair.”

The NPC has also urged the PTI Chairman Imran Khan to politically train party leaders and workers.

An apology has been demanded from Mr Suri and he has been asked to refrain from issuing such statements in the future.

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2022