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Tuesday, October 08, 2024  
04 Rabi Al-Akhar 1446  

Pakistani Twitter weighs in on Matiullah Jan and Fawad Chaudhry brawl

Social media users seem conflicted about a heated exchange between PTI's Fawad Chaudhry and independent journalist...
A screengrab taken from Aaj News shows former information minister Fawad Chaudhry and senior journalists Matiullah Jan engaged in a brawl outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad.
A screengrab taken from Aaj News shows former information minister Fawad Chaudhry and senior journalists Matiullah Jan engaged in a brawl outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad.

Social media users seem conflicted about a heated exchange between PTI's Fawad Chaudhry and independent journalist Matiullah Jan which took place in Islamabad on Wednesday outside the Supreme Court.

As we reported on Wednesday morning, Fawad repeatedly dismissed Jan's request to ask questions after former minister Asad Umer's address, eventually saying that people like the journalist show up because they are "for hire".

The video footage showed that the senior journalist apparently continued to ask a question pertaining to First Lady Bushra Bibi’s friend Farah Khan, who fled the country amid serious allegations of corruption levelled against her by the opposition, to Fawad despite the latter’s insistence to ask queries after his media talk.

Eventually, Fawad lost his cool and badmouthed the senior journalist which prompted the latter to protest and engage in an argument with the former. Both of them continued to trade barbs, as seen in the footage. Fellow reporters’ efforts to calm down the situation went in vain as both refused to keep silent which led to reporters’ boycott of the presser.

Social media users were divided on who was in the right.

One user was outraged that the former information minister called anyone "karaiye ke tattu."

The anger at the minister for using those words was visible in another tweet.

But it wasn't all a bed of roses for the independent journalist. One user pointed out how the journalist community didn't stop Matiullah from interrupting the minister.

Several users expressed sentiments of disdain for Matiullah for his behavior.

While another used the incident to remind people what can and can't be asked of PTI leaders.

The incident did bring into question the issue of ethics and whether Matiullah Jan's behavior was fair.

However, one user reminded that Jan has been through a lot and is deserving of respect.

As expected, Pakistani meme game was quick to bring its A game commentary on the situation.

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