Imran Khan condemns threats being hurled to journalists, social media activists

Islamabad: PTI Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday defended Arif Hameed Bhatti, other senior journalists and social media activists against receiving threats.

In a video statement, Khan said though senior journalist Arif Hameed Bhatti criticized him [Imran Khan] a lot, but he [Arif Hameed Bhatti] was also being threatened. "Dr Moeed Pirzada is also being intimidated."

Imran Khan said fake FIRs were being lodged against senior journalists Arshad Sharif, Sabir Shakir, Sami Ibrahim, Adnan Adil and Jamil Farooqi.

He said up to 15 people broke into the house of PTI's social media head Dr Arsalan and manhandled his mother, sisters and a cousin. 

عمران خان صحافیوں کے حق میں بول پڑے
سینئر تجزیہ کار عارف حمید بھٹی کو دھمکیاں#GNN @arifhameed15 @PTIofficial @ImranKhanPTI #WeStandWithArifHameedBhatti pic.twitter.com/Bsb1Gi7Ft1

— GNN (@gnnhdofficial) July 5, 2022

The former prime minister said some Tik Talkers and You Tubers -- who came to him for some discussion -- also received calls and were advised to speak and write in "controlled manner".

"I ask my judiciary whether fundamental rights have been suspended in Pakistan. Is there martial law here? Which constitution allows these things?," the PTI stalwart questioned.

He said in the ongoing by-elections in Punjab, any PTI activist who has come out for canvassing was being caught and imprisoned.

"I ask the judiciary once again whether fundamental rights have been put on suspension in Pakistan," Khan said.