Media freedom seminar: Imran Riaz Khan, Ayaz Amir blast rulers once again

Senior journalists Imran Riaz Khan and Ayaz Amir delivered inflammatory speeches at the seminar organised by Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Islamabad yesterday regarding the party’s ongoing media freedom campaign.

The seminar was attended by several journalists, intellectuals and politicians including former premier Imran Khan.

During his speech, the PTI chairman highlighted the conspiracies against the PTI government besides pointing out the current rulers’ tactics to control the media to mould public minds in their favour.

While addressing the seminar, Imran Riaz Khan said, “I am a traitor too. What you have done with us? Registration of FIRs, beating up on roads and police stations, keeping us in lock-ups, dragging, torturing us even with belts.”

He questioned the higher authorities, “Have you ever received a single telephone call from foreign countries? How many embassies are there in this country? Has any embassy questioned you to tell the reason why you are beating these people or condemning them? Has any global institution ever taken our side? There is no one because we are not their assets. We are your assets. Neither anyone will ever talk for you nor us.”

ہم تمہارا ایسٹ ہے نہ ہمارے لیے کوئی بولا نہ تمہارے لیے بولے گا ۔۔

دو لفظوں میں ساری گل ہی مگا دیتی اے🔥 pic.twitter.com/gcSd8kg15A

— Zahra Liaqat (@IG_Zahra) August 18, 2022

In his speech, Ayaz Amir said, “The counting was going to start from 12. What happens after two days, it was unexpected for people like us. The happening was actually a thought of the people of Punjab. By the people of Lahore. What is the remedy? Now you have find a remedy in filing case like sedition and others.”

He later questioned the rulers, “What will you do with the people of Lahore and Punjab? The actual shock is borne by PML-N [Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz] and [leadership in] London. They are shocked how can this happen in Lahore.

پنجاب میں ضمنی انتخابات میں شکست کا سب سے زیادہ دکھ لندن میں ہوا کہ یہ لاہور میں کیا ہوا اور کیوں ہوا- ایاز امیر pic.twitter.com/c0BVVneWHa

— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 18, 2022

While praising the PTI workers, “If your people [Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers] are weak, then you will definitely analyse the results by yourself. But your people were standing firmly at that day.”

Both journalists have once again blasted the institutions and the incumbent government in the recent media freedom seminar despite facing severe consequences in the past. Imran Riaz Khan had been jailed for his remarks earlier, whereas, Ayaz Amir was tortured by some men outside his office.