The tweet that tried to malign the credibility of Gharidah Farooqi had sparked an outrage from the journalist community.
Islamabad (Pakistan Point News – 31st August, 2018) Earlier today, the official Twitter account of Punjab Government @GOPunjabPK had shared a clip of provincial Information Minister Fayaz ul Hassan Chohan responding to ‘planted’ questions by renowned tv anchor Gharidah Farooqi.
The tweet that tried to malign the credibility of Gharidah Farooqi had sparked an outrage from the journalist community.
In a now deleted tweet, the @GOPunjabPK had wrote, “See how Fayaz ul Hassan Chohan revealed the planted questions of Gharidah Farooqi and made them speechless.”
Gharidah responded to the tweet, saying, “Planted Questions?? Is this the policy of new Punjab Govt in Naya Pakistan to malign journalists thru official accounts, for asking bold Qs!? Where do u have the proof of planted questions? Bring forth! Will be waiting. @Fayazchohanpti Take notice! @fawadchaudhry @ImranKhanPTI”
Later, Gharidah said in a tweet, “Punjab Govt Official Account run by DGPR Dig Media Wing has deleted the tweet against me to malign my credibility, after I questioned & countered them! Official apology still awaited! #JournalismIsNotACrime #FreedomOfExpression #Responsibility”
In an another tweet, she wrote, “Just a while ago, Punjab Info Min @Fayazchohanpti called me & only clarified tweet by @GOPunjabPK saying he had asked to write "chubhtay huay sawalat" but the official wrote "planted". Said he ordered deletion. I asked I want an official apology. Still awaited.”
After all the condemnations, @GOPunjabPK finally apologized over the tweet, saying, “We apologize for the poor choice of words while sharing the clip from @GFarooqi's show. We have deleted the tweet and will be careful in future.”
Gharidah appreciated the apology, saying, “Appreciate that @GOPunjabPK A real Journalist is no one's friend & no one's enemy. We ask Qs for d ultimate motive of "benefit of the country & the nation" which is certainly d ultimate motive of Govts too!And which @ImranKhanPTI wishes to excel.”
