Twitter is in rage over the brutal attack on senior journalist Ayaz Amir. Strong condemnations are being poured in from the public, including politicians. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also took note of the incident.
According to the details, Ayaz Amir was leaving the office of a private TV channel located at Lahore’s Abbott Road when six unidentified men attacked him and tore off his clothes. The assailants also snatched his wallet and mobile phone.
IGP Punjab also took notice of the incident and gave directives for immediate action. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the incident and ordered a high-level investigation.
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It is unknown why the senior journalist was attacked. However, Twitteratis are claiming that Ayaz Amir was attacked due to his strong statements during a PTI seminar in Islamabad on the ‘Regime Change and its Fallout on Pakistan’ a day earlier. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan also attended the event.
During his speech, Ayaz Amir criticized the policies of former premier Imran Khan, accusing him of facilitating the realtors and property tycoons during his rule. According to netizens, Ayaz Amir made a tacit reference to Army officers as property tycoons.
https://twitter.com/AyazAmirOficial/status/1542524193282981891?s=20&t=P03gbGPPloj9L49rq6cbAQ
He also talked about the extension granted to the army chief, criticizing the decision. Parts of Ayaz Amir’s speech have gone viral on social media. Important to note that the extension for Chief of Army Staff General Bajwa has become controversial in Pakistan. On the other hand, the Army has rejected the claims that COAS Bajwa will demand another extension.
We all know the reason why #AyazAmir got attacked today. pic.twitter.com/CL2eRx57Du
— Eᴀsᴛ Cᴏᴀsᴛ Aᴠᴇɴɢᴇʀ 🔪™ (@ArtistInWarTime) July 1, 2022
Hope there is some head scratching in the quarters referred to by Ayaz Amir and others in today’s regime change seminar. If they think come November things may change for the better they maybe sadly disillusioned. Massive respect has been lost -immense soul searching required
— Najma Minhas (@MinhasNajma) July 1, 2022
Outrage over Ayaz Amir attack
Immediately after reports of the attack on Amir were shared on Twitter. Journalists, lawyers, activists, politicians, and members of civil society strongly condemned the attack on Amir.
Former premier and PTI Chairman Imran Khan strongly condemned the “violence” against the senior journalist. He claimed that the State is losing its moral authority.
“Pakistan is descending into the worst kind of fascism with violence and fake FIRs against journalists, opposition politicians and citizens. When the state loses all moral authority it resorts to violence,” the PTI chairman said in a tweet.
I condemn in strongest terms the violence against senior journalist Ayaz Amir today in Lahore. Pak descending into the worst kind of fascism with violence & fake FIRs against journalists,opp politicians, citizens.When the State loses all moral authority it resorts to violence.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 1, 2022
One of Pakistan’s leading journalists Dr. Moeed Pirzada said media in Pakistan is being silenced. Veteran journalist Mazhar Abbas also called out the attack on Amir, saying “this is unacceptable”.
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Ayyaz Amir, Pakistan's most respected Columnist was viciously attacked & beaten tonight; earlier many police complaints have been registered against prominent TV Anchors to harass them. Media in Pakistan are being systematically silenced, World needs to raise its voice @amnesty
— Moeed Pirzada (@MoeedNj) July 1, 2022