Fawad Chaudhry’s press conference has been cancelled due to his harsh answer to a query from a reporter

ISLAMABAD: Journalists following the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s hearings on the Deputy Speaker’s contentious verdict on the no-confidence motion skipped Fawad Chaudhry’s news conference over his rude reaction to a question.

An irate Chaudhry branded veteran journalist Matiullah Jan a “hired gun” in answer to a question — the comment drew outrage from the on-the-ground reporters.

Despite repeated requests from journalists to either address the question or apologise to Jan for his uncalled for remarks, Chaudhry retaliated with personal assaults on other journalists’ credibility.
He said that the journalists covering the press conferences are paid and have a predetermined agenda.

Asad Umar and Ali Muhammad Khan of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf sought to defuse the tension, but Chaudhry stayed firm in his controversial statements. The journalists removed their microphones and cameras in response to Chaudhry’s behaviour, stating that he will not be covered until he apologises.

Senior court reporters from several news and digital outlets have convened a high-level meeting to consider the next course of action in response to the former information minister’s comments.

Chaudhry has previously made headlines for assaulting journalists and using obscene language. Despite their claims to support press freedom, the PTI and Prime Minister Imran Khan never took any action or disciplined him for his activities, much to the astonishment of many.