Journalist informs Pakistani PM that media cannot operate. He was then let go

According to ARY News, a leading Pakistani journalist was sacked after he questioned the nation’s prime minister regarding freedom of speech. After asking about “tacit” constraints the Pakistani media is subject to, Azam Chaudhry was fired from the state-owned PTV. He said that he was let go only hours after highlighting the issues during a news conference held at the governor’s mansion in Punjab on June 30 with Shehbaz Sharif and two ministers, Ishaq Dar and Marriyum Aurangzeb.

The PM was allegedly informed by Azam Chaudhry that the media cannot operate freely despite the backing of the governing coalition parties, including the PML(N) and PPP.

He said to the prime minister, “The current period is the worst related to restrictions,” and he enquired as to when and how the media limits will be lifted. Azam Chaudhry was instructed by Shehbaz Sharif to raise his concerns with the information minister in response to the query.

Please speak out if you have anything important to say, he urged.

The journalist’s assertions were denied by Pakistan’s information minister, Marriyum Aurangzeb, who claimed that he was never engaged by PTV as a permanent or contract employee.

“I know Azam Chaudhry and am aware of his views, but despite this, he was invited to [PM Shehbaz] presser and allowed to ask a question,” said Marriyum Aurangzeb, adding that if the Shehbaz Sharif government had any issues with the journalist’s views, he would not have been invited to the press conference.

The minister said that Azam Chaudhry is still a member of the same committee at the public broadcaster.