Lahore (Pakistan News Online) PTI leader Shahbaz Gill slammed former Federal Minister Fawad Chaudhry after his appearance at the anchor Gharida Farooqi’s TV show. Fawad Chaudhry had defended his appearance on the show, but Shahbaz Gill was not impressed.
A few days ago, Fawad Chaudhry shared a clip of his conversation with Gharida Farooqi on the microblogging platform X. Gill took exception and termed Gharida Farooqi a “so-called journalist”, calling Fawad’s participation in her show an “insult to the entire movement.”
In response, Fawad Chaudhry wrote on X: “Journalists and politicians are permanent realities while others come and go. Space must be given to those who speak against our viewpoint. This is the principle on which democracy stands.” Addressing Shehbaz Gill, he added, “InshaAllah, when you return, all these critics will be with you. It doesn’t take long for times to change.”
However, Shahbaz Gill did not stop there and resumed with his indirect criticism against Fawad Chaudhry: “Some friends are appearing on the shows of touts like Gharida and Absar Alam.” He added, “We have tolerated a lot; there is blood on these hands of our people. Now, whoever undertakes this adventure will face open criticism. Stop this good cop-bad cop drama.”
In another post, he named Zahid Hussain, Mohammad Malick, Benazir Shah, Arifa Noor, Hamid Mir, and Mohammad Hanif as those who “severely criticize him”; he still respects them. Again, he has seriously castigated Gharida Farooqi: “This woman is not a journalist; she hasn’t practiced journalism; she has done filthy work.”
Let me mention here that Gharida Farooqi is a known critic of PTI; she often gets harsh criticism from PTI supporters and its leadership.