Pakistan
PTI leadership apologizes unconditionally for Gandapur’s remarks
During the Senate session, journalists staged a walkout in response to the speech
Islamabad: Following controversial comments made by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur about journalists during a rally, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership has issued an unconditional apology.
During the Senate session, journalists staged a walkout in response to the speech.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar personally apologized to the media, emphasizing, "We respect the entire journalist community and extend an unconditional apology for any distress caused by the chief minister’s comments, which targeted only a few journalists."
Gohar further explained that the remarks were made in a political context and reiterated that PTI had no intention of escalating tensions.
He noted that if they sought to act outside the law, they would have done so by now, amid growing public pressure for PTI founder Imran Khan's release.
In the National Assembly, parliamentary reporters also boycotted the session. Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, along with Barrister Gohar, visited the media gallery to offer apologies.
However, journalists called for a direct apology from Ali Amin Gandapur himself.
Later, Senators Afnan Ullah Khan and Aon Abbas Bappi also visited the press gallery in an effort to mend relations with media representatives.
Journalists have announced plans to file a lawsuit against CM Gandapur due to his derogatory comments made during the PTI rally at Sangjani in Islamabad. Gandapur's speech, which included accusations of journalists being 'sellouts' and 'brokers,' was met with strong condemnation from the media.
Additionally, PTI workers reportedly surrounded the DSNG (Digital Satellite News Gathering) vehicles at the rally, raising concerns about the safety of the journalists present.