ISLAMABAD (MNN); The National Press Club (NPC) leadership has expressed serious concern over a legal notice reportedly served by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Geo News reporter Ayaz Akbar Yousafzai, seeking Rs200 million in damages over remarks made during coverage of the PIMS hospital tragedy.
NPC President Abdul Razzaq Siyal, Secretary Dr Farqan Rao, Finance Secretary Abid Abbasi and members of the governing body issued a joint statement condemning what they described as an attempt to pressure a journalist over his professional reporting.
According to the legal notice, lawyers representing Mohsin Naqvi have alleged that material aired by Geo News contained defamatory statements that damaged the interior minister’s reputation. The notice reportedly demands that Yousafzai withdraw the alleged statements, issue an unconditional apology and remove the disputed material from all platforms.
The notice has given the journalist 15 days to comply with the demands, failing which, according to the notice, civil and criminal legal proceedings would be initiated.
The lawyers reportedly alleged that the journalist failed to seek the interior minister’s position before making remarks concerning the PIMS incident and did not exercise adequate care in verifying the information.
The National Press Club leadership, however, said journalists have a constitutional and professional responsibility to report matters of public interest and question relevant authorities.
The NPC said coverage of a sensitive incident such as the PIMS tragedy falls within the legitimate sphere of journalistic activity and should not be restricted through legal notices or pressure tactics.
The press club leadership maintained that if any news report or statement contains inaccuracies or is disputed by the government, an institution or an individual, the appropriate response should be through facts, evidence and clarification rather than attempts to silence journalists through legal threats.
The NPC also pointed out that Mohsin Naqvi himself has a background in journalism and is associated with the media industry, urging him to understand the professional responsibilities and challenges faced by reporters.
The press club called for withdrawal of the legal notice against Ayaz Akbar Yousafzai and demanded an environment in which journalists can perform their professional duties independently.
It also urged the authorities to ensure freedom of the press and freedom of expression in accordance with constitutional provisions and called for relevant journalist bodies to be taken into confidence before action is initiated against media professionals.
The dispute centres on reporting and commentary surrounding the PIMS hospital tragedy and allegations concerning the role or response of the Islamabad administration, which falls under the Interior Ministry. The legal notice represents the position of the interior minister and his legal representatives, while the National Press Club has publicly defended the journalist’s right to report on the matter.
The development has once again brought into focus the balance between a public official’s right to protect his reputation and the media’s constitutional role in reporting matters of public importance.
