PESHAWAR: Special Assistant to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Information and Public Relations, Shafiullah Jan, termed the recent report published in The Economist as based on unconfirmed stories and political propaganda, saying that the report has distorted the governance style of Imran Khan and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf in a biased manner.
In the report, sensational allegations, anonymous sources, rumors of domestic staff and statements of political opponents have been presented as “facts”. which is contrary to the principles of journalism, Shafiullah Jan has said in a statement issued here that it is condemnable to analyze the rumors related to domestic affairs, to cut such stories for political character assassination is frivolous journalism. The claims about Bushra Bibi’s interference in government affairs is baseless, he said, adding that there is a record of federal cabinet, economic coordination committee, national security committee and parliamentary proceedings, which refutes these claims. No government official or institution ever complained of such interference.
Shafi Jan also said that PML-N is so afraid of Imran Khan that they create some drama every day. This mandate thief group has been rejected by the people of Pakistan, so now they are using journalism for their nefarious purposes. They cannot remove Imran from the hearts of the people. Shafi Jan said that Imran Khan is the only leader who has buried hereditary politics in Pakistan.
Whether The Economist wrote it or someone else wrote it, putting their own credibility at stake, the writers used this article for material gains and self-interest.
Shafiullah Jan criticizes federal government for altering constitution
Shafiullah Jan, the Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Information and Public Relations, has stated that the 27th Constitutional Amendment has replaced the constitution of Pakistan that was previously agreed upon through consensus.
These remarks were made during his trip to the Battagram Press Club. He attended the newly-elected office-bearers’ oath-taking ceremony as the main speaker. In his company was the Chief Minister’s Advisor on Sports and Youth Affairs, Taj Muhammad Tarand. Their rights were forcibly taken, and many were made to conduct press conferences themselves. In continuation to his statement, he said, “Till now leaders of PTI along with its workers are in jails or are summoned to courts frequently”.
According to him, it is a premier objective of the provincial government to keep peace and order in the province. For this, the representatives of all political parties and the elders from the whole of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were summoned to the provincial assembly where a “Grand Jirga” was held. The 15-point agenda of the jirga is supposed to have significant implications for stability in the region.
The special assistant further added that the cabinet members are like a united force ready to serve the people and work for their welfare and progress. He also acknowledged the sacrifices of journalists and said that the federal government has been very active in creating hurdles for the media workers. According to him, the KP cabinet comprises members from humble backgrounds, and despite difficulties, the government maintains its support for Imran Khan’s stance.
On the occasion, Shafiullah Jan made the promise of doubling the grant for the Battagram Press Club from one million to two million rupees. Also, he assured that journalists in Battagram would be given those facilities which are available in the metropolitan cities of Pakistan.
He attacked the recent political developments in the strongest terms possible and asserted that the “Form-47 government” had struck the unanimously agreed Constitution that had been brought by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, and subsequently, the 27th Amendment had further distorted it. “We will be undoing all such amendments once our government comes into power,” he promised.
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He also found fault with a recent Economist report on Bushra Bibi, saying it was completely made up and deceived the readers. According to him, Bushra Bibi is still with Imran Khan just “like a rock”.
Members of local press in Battagram submitted a written memorandum pleading for the establishment of a permanent press club building in addition to the setting up of a digital studio, library, and computer lab.
