Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, the Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party, is under fire on social media after addressing concerns about press freedom in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Bilawal highlighted an alarming contraction in the space for free journalism. He noted a troubling rise in violent incidents targeting journalists in the region, which he described as intolerable.
Bhutto-Zardari attributed these assaults on press freedom to fascist-like tactics and squarely blamed the governance under the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the ruling PTI party. He criticized the PTI for its approach to governance, alleging that the party employs undemocratic methods and conspiracies to cling to power.
Asserting the People’s Party’s solidarity with journalists, Bhutto-Zardari emphasized his party’s commitment to ensuring press freedom. He called for legislative and institutional actions to safeguard journalists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
However, his comments sparked backlash, particularly from senior journalist Imran Riaz Khan, who acknowledged Bhutto-Zardari’s support for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s journalists but pointed out the grim record in Sindh.
Over the past four years, Sindh has seen more than thirteen journalist murders and numerous other violent incidents, highlighting a broader issue of press safety under Bhutto-Zardari’s own party’s regional leadership.
