Bilawal scorches Pakistan PM Imran as journalist gets assaulted; ISI says 'it wasn't us'

Pakistan's Opposition leer Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari scorched PM Imran Khan for allegedly lying to world about press freedom in his country and slammed PTI govt for not providing equate security to journalists in Islamab. Bilawal Bhutto's attack against Imran Khan comes after he visited injured journalist As Ali Toor, who was allegedly assaulted by three masked men at his Islamab residence earlier in May. Bilawal Bhutto, who is also chairman of National Assembly Committee on Human Rights, said that he would convene a meeting of committee to deliberate on issue of press freedom in Pakistan with particular reference to increasing attack on journalists. Lamenting lack of security provided to journalists in Pakistan's capital, Bilawal Bhutto vowed to crack cases of attacks on journalists Absar Alam and Matiullah Jan and claimed that his party (Pakistan's People Party) would never compromise on freedom of press.

"As chairman of National Assembly Committee on Human Rights, I am taking notice of incidents of attacks on journalists and soon I will convene its meeting to discuss state of media freedom in country,"  Bilawal Bhutto said.

CCTV footage obtained from Pakistan-based journalist As Ali Toor's residence revealed that three masked suspects h exited former's Islamab residence after attacking him. clip allegedly shows Toor calling for help while his hands and feet were tied and was taken to a hospital later, as per reports. Pakistan which ranks 9th on  CPJ's Global Impunity Index has seen an increase in censorship and repression faced by journalists after Imran Khan took over as PM in 2018 after an election perceived to have been rigged by military. ISI, however, denied its involvement in attack on Toor and alleged a conspiracy being launched against m.

Pakistan Military flexes muscles, journalist Hamid Mir taken off air

On Monday, senior Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir was stopped from hosting his talk show 'Capital Talk' by Geo News channel after he criticised military establishment. He has been sent on forced leave and anor anchorperson will host five-day-a-week show for now. Mir came under scanner after he delivered a fiery speech at a protest on May 28 in wake of attack on fellow journalist As Toor. Three assailants who identified mselves as ISI agents barged into Toor's Islamab apartment on May 25 and assaulted him.

Threatening to expose role of Pakistan's military establishment in recent spate of attacks on journalists amid inaction from police, Hamid Mir stated, "I have been feeling this since a long time- institutions where we work have been coerced to such an extent that y tell us what to say and what not to say. For sake of safeguarding jobs of our colleagues, we are cautious. Now, it seems that this has become strength of those who are enemies of freedom of press. I feel that my job is shackling me and I cannot say certain things. From today, I will start saying certain things. Whoever wants to sack me is free to do so. I will get freedom if I am sacked from my job. If I get freedom, n I will remove  masks from your faces."