It seems as if the Punjab Police has been very active against journalists who are critical of the incumbent government. One of Pakistan’s leading journalists and anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan claimed that police came to his house multiple times yesterday.
In a series of tweets, Imran Riaz Khan revealed that the police had come to his house three times in seven hours. A police vehicle had also been parked outside his house all day. However, that did not deter Imran Riaz Khan who lashed out at the government for being “fascist” and harassing journalists.
“Police once again came to my home. This fascist government can do anything for its political gains. Continuously harassing the journalists in Pakistan,” Imran Riaz tweeted. The journalist then said that he let the police check all weapons and licenses so that they won’t book him under false charges.
Police once again came to my home. This faciest Govt can do anything for their political gains. Continuously harrasing the journalists in Pakistan. @pressfreedom @arsched @arifhameed15 pic.twitter.com/oTXqbe65pV
— Imran Khan (@ImranRiazKhan) June 20, 2022
Interestingly, Imran Riaz Khan was very understanding of why the police were consistently making rounds at his house.
Read more: Video: Imran Riaz Khan roasts Matiullah Jan in public
“I have told the police not to harass the common people by employing dozens of policemen because of me. All weapons and licenses have also been verified. The poor [policemen] don’t say so but they seem to be forced by the job. May Allah guide the imported government and its facilitators,” Imran Riaz tweeted.
پولیس والوں کو بتا دیا ہے کہ میری وجہ سے درجنوں پولیس والوں کو لگا کر عام لوگوں کو ہراساں نہ کریں۔ تمام اسلحہ اور لائیسنس بھی ویری فائی کروا دیئے ہیں۔ بیچارے کہتے تو نہیں مگر نوکری کے ہاتھوں مجبور لگتے ہیں۔ امپورٹڈ سرکار اور انکے سہولتکاروں کو اللہ ہدایت عطا فرمائے آمین pic.twitter.com/Ptq0FepGdt
— Imran Khan (@ImranRiazKhan) June 20, 2022
Tough times for journalists?
Ever since the incumbent government forcefully came into power, times have been tough for journalists vocally criticizing the government. Pertinent to mention, the PML-N-led government has faced a decline in its popularity because of the controversial no-confidence motion against former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The majority of the public, including many top journalists, have been very open about their criticism of the incumbent government. As a result, some journalists have been booked under sedition charges, including Imran Riaz Khan.
Offenses on Imran Riaz Khan include Section 131 (incitement to mutiny); 153 (provoking to cause riot); 452 (trespassing) and 505 (statement conducing to public mischief) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
Read more: Anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan booked under sedition charges
Important to note, that the incumbent government had promised that it was fully committed to freedom of speech and press. However, many journalists on social media have claimed of being harassed by the police.