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Image Credit: Social Media/Twitter

Dubai: Outspoken Pakistani journalist, Asad Kharal was physically assaulted on a Lahore street, causing Twitter outrage.

Anchorperson and journalist Asad Kharal’s car ride was interrupted by “masked men” in the early hours of Wednesday, June 6, and he was brutally attacked.

Kharal himself confirmed the news on Twitter. He tweeted: “@AsadKharal: I have been attacked by some person wearing masks, I am in hospital.”

Chief justice of Pakistan has taken notice of the incident. Media personnel from various Pakistani agencies expressed their dismay after the incident online.

Prominent Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir strongly condemned the event and shared images. He said: “@HamidMirPAK: You can differ with the views of a journalist you can even criticise him but no one has the right to attack any journalist or peaceful citizen this attack on @AsadKharal is condemnable the injuries on the body of Kharal are reflecting the injuries of media freedom in Pakistan. ...Severe head injuries of journalist @AsadKharal.”

In another tweet, he asked Kharal: “@HamidMirPAK: Do you have any idea who attacked you?” However, the victim is yet to accuse anyone.

Agreeing with Mir’s comments, journalist @NiaziMussadiq said: “Horrible trend of attacking Journalists. Condemnable.”

People alleged that the cause of the attack was Kharal’s criticism of the state. Twitter user and reporter @ameerabbas84 said: “Highly condemnable & shameful. Sr investigative journalist & chief news analyst of @BOLNETWORK @AsadKharal his been badly beaten up in Lahore. He is known for digging the corruption stories and challenging the corrupt mafia. Is it a way to silent the dissenting voices?”

Politicians also added to the online discussion. Ahsan Iqbal who has served as the Minister for Interior, tweeted: “@betterpakistan: Strongly condemn attack on journalist Asad Kharal. Freedom of expression should be protected.”

A day before, another journalist was apparently attacked in the same city, sparking online conversations about freedom of speech and journalist safety.

Gul Bukhari, a prominent and state-critiquing political analyst and journalist was said to have been briefly abducted in Lahore by unknown men, a day after the Pakistani military held a press conference on Monday, June 4, disclosing that they monitor citizens who criticise the country.

Pakistan military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor personally commented on people denouncing state policies. He said: “We have the capability to monitor social media as to who is doing what.”

With ongoing political turmoil, Pakistani journalists and social activists, including Bukhari, often turn to social media to voice their concerns. Therefore, her disappearance has caused uproar on various platforms.

A number of politicians expressed their views online about the matter.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif, daughter of ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif, tweeted: “@MaryamNSharif: Extremely disturbing, worrisome news of @gulbukhari abduction. This is just cruel & worst kind of oppression. Sad day. #BringBackGulBukhari”

Also, Senator Sherry Rehman joined the discussion and said: “@sherryrehman: Disturbed to hear about journalist @gulbukhari’s abduction. She needs to be back home safe,the kidnappers prosecuted. No matter who is behind this,it will make Pakistan look bad. The state of a democracy is as healthy as its dissent. We must protect our critics more than our friends.”

Netizens were overall concerned for media personnel’s safety and freedom of speech in the country.

Journalist Maheen Sabeeh tweeted: “@maheensbhn: Opened paper and found out that journalist @gulbukhari had been abducted. Opened Twitter and found out that she’s home now with family. Are all political journalists and activists public enemies, deemed so by the mighty establishment? Tyranny is this. #GulBukhari #Pakistan”

Tweep @RaziDada cited similar previous incidents and posted: “Lahore is turning to be a war zone for Journalists. The Nation Columnist, Blogger and TV anchor, #GulBukhari has been abducted while known journalist @AsadKharal has been attacked. Reason of both the incidents are still unknown. This is highly condemnable act.”

A member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Marvi Sirmed, raised her voice for female reporters and Pakistan’s policies. She tweeted: “@marvisirmed: The state of Pakistan will have to produce @gulbukhari pronto in case it wants to keep claiming itself a success story of counter terrorism and having world’s number intelligence agencies. You are nothing - zero, zilch, nadir - if you can’t face a strong head[ed] woman with opinion.”

However, some tweeps were not convinced about Bukhari’s abduction.

User @Iram_Ahmad_Khan tweeted: “Anti-state activists from out of nowhere saying that #GulBukhari is abducted by Pakistani agencies. How come they know? Agencies consulted with them before/after arresting the lady? And why are they getting angry if we say that lady must be enjoying a party with her bosses?”

Tweeps however claim that Kharal’s story is being neglected.

Twitter user @_aamirz said: “Such is the polarization in Pakistan media that certain ppl are outraged at the arrest of a journalist (Gul Bukhari) and the same ppl don’t even bother to condemn attack on another jornalist (Asad Kharal) on the same day.”

On the same sentiment, user @emzeday tweeted: “Two very worrying and disturbing incidents yesterday. Thankfully @Gulbukhari is back safe. Condemn-able. How i I wish I could see the same level of outrage on Asad Kharal - who was beaten in broad daylight. So if one was abducted by Army - the other was beaten by? #AsadKharal.”

Twitter user Anjum Kiani expressed his suspicion online. He said: “So Hollow & empty tweets from Commercial liberals regarding the attack on @AsadKharal where blood can be seen gushing from his head, neck and back but exaggerated disinfo regarding #GulBukhari’s alleged and unproven dissapearence.”

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Image Credit: @ANI/Twitter
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