TV journalist Wajahat Saeed Khan is in news again, but for all the wrong reasons.
In a tweet on Thursday, the TV journalist accused a London-based reporter of a Pakistani news channel of maligning Prime Minister Imran Khan and Pakistan Army at the behest of the Nawaz Sharif government.
Wajahat tweeted, “New Intel about a London-based reporter whose wealth multiplied during the Nawaz regime. Multiple plots in Pakistan + serious spending money in London + Dorchester meals, all thanks to anti-Khan/Fauj reporting. His return to Pakistan is keenly awaited by my friends. And me.”
New intel about a London-based reporter whose wealth multiplied during the Nawaz regime.
Multiple plots in Pakistan + serious spending money in London + Dorchester meals, all thanks to anti-Khan/Fauj reporting.
His return to Pakistan is keenly awaited by my friends. And me.
— WSK (@WajSKhan) September 27, 2018
The tweet has drawn people’s ire on the social media as many users, including renowned journalists, criticised Wajahat’s unbecoming behaviour.
Jonathan Boone, a former Guardian writer on Afghanistan and Pakistan, tweeted, “Waj, old friend, you sound like a gangster in this tweet. Whatever this is, it’s not journalism and it’s really beneath you.”
Waj, old friend, you sound like a gangster in this tweet. Whatever this is, it’s not journalism and it’s really beneath you. https://t.co/nfhcKr21EI
— Jonathan Boone (@Jon_Boone) September 27, 2018
Another Twitter user, Irfan Khan said, “Aap ko kitna milta he anti Nawaz reporting ka???”
Aap ko kitna milta he anti Nawaz reporting ka???
— irfan khan (@iffiscorpion22) September 27, 2018
Similarly, Mian Kamran called him a “low standard reporter”.
So u r going through next level of being low standard reporter….
— Mian Kamran (@MKamran00) September 27, 2018
Whereas, another Twitter user asked the platform authorities to take notice of the “veiled threat”
“…awaited by my friends. And me.” @Twitter @TwitterSupport – please take notice of this veiled threat to a journalist by @WajSKhan
— mian (@Withoutcauze) September 28, 2018
Similarly, there were few who came to Wajahat’s rescue: One user wrote: “How asking about multiplying wealth of a reporter becomes low.”
How asking about multiplying wealth of a reporter becomes low.
— hafeezbinhissam (@hafeezbinhissam) September 28, 2018
Another Twitter user said: “because journalists are holy cows whatever said against them is either beneath or threat to freedom of speech. Aren’t they answerable to any law?”
Because journalists are holy cows whatever said against them is either beneath or threat to freedom of speech. Aren’t they answerable to any law?
— Mateen Ul Waheed (@__mateen) September 28, 2018
And then there were tweets like this:
@WajSKhan The loudest one is always the weakest. You talk too much. Would be better if you continue taking selfies in a bathtub rather than pretending to be James Bond.
— H (@H_N_DAR) September 28, 2018
if u have gutts(which u dont have)then show us houses & cars of generals & core commanders
— ZahidKhan (@ZahidKhan77777) September 27, 2018
Anti-Fauj reporting is what you do.
Those you call ‘my friends’ need no enemies.— Ahmer Kureishi (@ahmerkureishi) September 27, 2018
And a little bit of humour:
Tind se tind jealous
— ملنگ (@JhoolayLaaal) September 27, 2018
The encryption in this tweet lol.
— salman (@Salmaan_Shaukat) September 27, 2018