Journalist bodies demand apology from KP CM's adviser for claiming reporter sought bribe

• KhUJ, PPC, other senior media persons discuss matter.
• Mashal Yousafzai has been urged to extend apology.
• Adviser alleges the reporter sought money.

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar Press Club (PPC) and Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) Thursday condemned and took a dig at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister’s Adviser on Social Welfare Mashal Yousafzai for levelling unfounded allegations of seeking bribe on Geo News reporter Nadia Saboohi.

The News on Friday reported that KhUJ and PPC office bearers as well as other senior media persons held a discussion on the allegation in a joint meeting at the Peshawar Press Club. 

KhUJ President Nasir Hussain and PPC President Arshad Aziz Malik opined that Yousafzai had tried to spoil the KP government’s relations with media persons by levelling the allegations.

Yousafzai was urged by the office bearers of the PPC and KhUJ to withdraw her remarks against the female journalist, remove the offending tweet, and extend an apology. They announced to boycott her media coverage and banned her from entering the press club.

It should be noted that the Geo News reporter had previously revealed that a summary had been prepared in order to purchase new cars for the secretary and social welfare adviser.

The adviser was approached by the reporter to obtain her version of events and to validate the story. Although the adviser acknowledged the findings, she stated that the chief minister had not yet seen the summary.

Saboohi’s report included the advisor’s statement. 

However, Yousufzai alleged that the reporter had demanded money from her and had published the story after she turned down her request. She also posted a tweet as part of a social media campaign against the journalist.

Not satisfied with that, she also accused her own party leader Moazzam Butt of being behind the controversy. However, Butt repudiated the allegations and urged CM Gandapur to inquire Yousafzai about the issue.