Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari staged a walkout from the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday. She acted in solidarity with journalists reportedly mistreated during KP CM Sohail Afridi’s visit. Bokhari said the press gallery members were beaten and pushed by people accompanying the KP CM.
The KP Chief Minister visited Lahore over the weekend and addressed opposition MPAs. The visit was marred by clashes between his entourage and security officials. Heated exchanges between PTI leaders and journalists were also reported during the session.
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Bokhari criticized the presence of unauthorized individuals claiming to be journalists. She alleged that they misbehaved and assaulted press gallery members. The minister said the assembly’s records contain footage of the incident.
During the previous session, opposition member Col. (retd) Shoaib Amir called the press gallery “sellouts,” sparking outrage. Bokhari said she faced accusations of planting journalists during the KP CM’s visit. She intends to send a defamation notice over the claims.
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Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan announced that the inquiry into the visit’s chaos would go to law enforcement. Meanwhile, CM Afridi wrote to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, expressing concern over the “discourtesy and hostility” during his Lahore visit.