Vawda's derogatory language towards journalists 'unacceptable', says Pakistan press club in Belgium

Pakistani journalists in Belgium have strongly condemned Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda's use of obscene and derogatory language towards senior journalists.

The Pakistan press club Belgium, in a joint statement, said: “Faisal Vawda must apologise for his indecent derogatory language against respected senior Journalists — Wusatullah Khan, Mubashir Zaidi, Zarar Khuhro, Umar Cheema, and Fakhar Durrani.”

PPCB President Chaudhry Imran Saqib and General Secretary Nadeem Butt, condemning the language of the federal minister, said: “[The] minister has crossed all the boundaries of honour and dignity, therefore the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan must take note of his statement; disciplinary action should be taken against Faisal Vawda.”

"Most of the federal ministers had admitted that Vawda was a hot [headed] person,” the statement read, adding: “The prime minister should keep in mind that hot items kept with valuables often cause short circuits which turn all valuables to ashes."

The PPCB president highlighted that PM Imran blames the “mafia” for the country’s crises, but he should also consider the “crises his peers bring home”.

Even the Federal Minister of Information Shibli Faraz "could not clean it (the mess) and he declared his disassociation with it (Vawda’s remarks),” the statement added.

PFUJ demand public apology

Meanwhile, in Pakistan, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) noted with deep concern the foul language used by Vawda against the renowned journalists and demanded a public apology from the minister.

President PFUJ Shahzada Zulfiqar and Secretary General Nasir Zaidi in a joint statement said that shocking behaviour was displayed by a public office holder and elected representative.

The journalist union has also requested Prime Minister Imran Khan to probe his behaviour, as "he has become a liability for the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)", according to the statement.

“He threatened senior journalists, who were only performing their professional duties by asking for a probe into the minister’s alleged acquiring of assets illegally along with his US nationality. Instead of responding in a civil manner, he threatened and used foul language,” it added.