The Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA), Punjab, Hina Pervaiz Butt, slashed the journalist Matiullah Jan by calling him a black sheep.
In her post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on April 29, she said, “Matiullah Jan is a black sheep in journalism whose behaviour against national interest is condemnable.”
Hina Pervaiz added, “Using prestigious platforms like the National Press Club (NPC) for personal agenda and one-sided narrative, weakening the state’s agenda in front of foreign journalists, trying to promote an anti-state narrative is unforgivable.”
She demanded that the National Press Club immediately investigate and take action against the conspiratorial elements.
“There should be a distinction between criticism of the government as a journalist and criticism of state affairs”, said Hina Pervaiz.
Supporting the argument of Hina Pervaiz Butt, the journalist of Neo News, Safina Khan said, “It was a deeply unfortunate and shameful act by Matiullah Jan.”
The female journalist stated that when the world was acknowledging Pakistan’s positive image and foreign journalists were highlighting the country’s progress and strengths instead of contributing to a balanced and responsible narrative they chose to present a negative and distorted picture as if to undermine their own country in front of international observers at such moments, national interest should come first.”
“Personal grudges and biases must be set aside, especially when Pakistan is being represented on a global stage. This was not only regrettable but also a condemnable display of irresponsible behaviour and unprofessional journalism,” added Safina.
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Matiullah Jan’s response to the government
After talking anti-state and spreading a negative image of the country, Neo News has fired Matiullah Jan.
In his tweet, he said, “My journey with the Neo News TV has abruptly come to an end. I want to thank my organisation for all the help and facilitation during the three and a half year period.”
By criticising the government, Matiullah Jan argued that this is not the first time or the first government during which I have to face such a situation.
“Speaking for democracy, free speech, journalists, and journalism is not a crime. I once again thank Neo TV owner and management wish them all the best in their organisational endeavours,” he stated.
The Pakistani journalist, Moeed Pirzada, has also green signalled the act of Matiullah Jan by saying that he did the right thing in offering the true picture of Pakistani Media.
In his tweet, he mentioned that, of course, the Govt will not like it, but no sane, responsible person should object to it.
Moeed Prizada added that the American journalists may have been misled by govt officials or someone! But it’s also their essential responsibility, as journalists, to know what’s happening in Pakistan.
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