Will Imran Khan ensure media freedom in next tenure?

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and ex-premier Imran Khan has announced to lead a media freedom-centric mass public campaign across Pakistan in view of an expected crackdown on media houses and journalist fraternity in the coming days.

Imran Khan has said that restrictions may be imposed on well-known journalists of many famous media houses in the near future. The question arises whether the PTI chief will reveal the source of the threats to the media houses and journalists who are likely to face a ban or restrictions from the federal authorities.

He said that in the coming days, his entire focus will be on the media freedom and people associated with the media industry. He has warned that in the next few days, bans may be imposed on big media houses and well-known journalists.

In a Twitter thread, Khan said, “I want to warn our nation of an unprecedented crackdown campaign by imported govt and state machinery against media houses and journalists who are carrying PTI & my narrative to the public. Two journalists, Arshad Sharif and Sabir Shakir, have had to leave Pakistan fearing for their lives.”

“Others like Imran Riaz, Sami Ibrahim, Ayaz Amir have suffered threats, violent attacks & arrest. In my mass public campaign across Pakistan from next week, I will take up the issue of media freedom & freedom of expression. If we allow these terror tactics, designed simply to target PTI and myself, to succeed, then we will be returning to the dark days of dictatorship when there was no independent media and no room for freedom of expression. Haqeeqi Azadi cannot be achieved without a free media & freedom of speech as guaranteed in our Constitution.” he added.

I want to warn our nation of an unprecedented crackdown campaign by Imported govt & State machinery against media houses & journalists who are carrying PTI & my narrative to the public. Two journalists, Arshad Sharif & Sabir Shakir, have had to leave Pak fearing for their lives.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 14, 2022

He made the announcement after PTI’s Lahore rally on August 13 and the coalition government’s restrictions on ARY News.

Analysts questioned if Imran Khan comes to the government in the future, will he give the assurance that he will give the freedom to the media, for which he is starting to strive now, because now he is in the opposition while nobody knows about the future.

Analysts questioned whether the PTI chief reveal the source of threats to the media houses and the journalist fraternity who are expected to face bans or restrictions from the coalition government.

During Imran Khan’s 3.5-year tenure, different media houses especially print media had faced extreme financial troubles following the ban on government advertisements which led to journalists’ layoffs and salary cuts which later intensified during the peak time of the COVID-19 pandemic across Pakistan.

In the same tenure, several renowned journalists had gone through a ban-like situation besides the financial crunch faced by the media houses, leaving thousands of media workers unemployed. One of his ministers, Fawad Chaudhry had slapped two journalists, Sami Ibrahim and Mubashir Lucman but Imran Khan did not condemn it.