Renowned journalist Saleem Safi was subjected to criticism and abuse on social media after he claimed that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had borne the expenses of PM house during his tenure from his own pocket.
Thank you @SaleemKhanSafi I am a witness to this and can proudly say that he used to pay the expenses from his pocket and not from the PM house budget. pic.twitter.com/gyvuVNTZx1
— Zayd Hussain Nawaz Sharif (@zayd280) August 19, 2018
The journalist then took to Twitter and posted pictures of Nawaz Sharif’s receipt photocopies of bills of different ceremonies.
جن لوگوں نے بدتہذیبی رشتوں کے تقدس سے نابلد لیڈر سے سیکھی ہے یا جن کے ماں باپ نے ان کے لیڈر کی طرح گالم گلوچ کی تربیت کی ہے وہ اب بھی باز نہیں آئیں گے لیکن جس بنیاد پر میں نے نئے وزیراعظم کی بریفنگ میں نواز شریف کے ذاتی اخراجات کی بات کی تھی ، اس کے دستاویزی ثبوت حاظر ہیں۔ pic.twitter.com/JbkToIdiSh
— Saleem Safi (@SaleemKhanSafi) August 22, 2018
His claims did not sit well with social media users, especially supports of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who slammed Safi over his ‘lies’.
Blunder by @SaleemKhanSafi in a try to cover previous lies he exposed his alleged master,According to his own tweet NS paid back the bill of Birthday party of his grand daughter in2017 incurred in 2015. NAB should file another case against NS for using taxpayer's money for 2years https://t.co/ucFDK5tfVc
— Tehseen Bajwa (@Tehseenbajwa924) August 22, 2018
Saleem Safi must tender apology to the nation for speaking a"bundle of white lies " about the payment of PM house. Either he is a comrade in crime of MNS or his palms have been greased to launch false https://t.co/8mdRj4kJ4a both cases he has miserably failed to achieve his goal
— PoliticalGuru (@PoliticalGuru3) August 24, 2018
To this end, several journalists also took to social media platforms to stand in solidarity with Safi and urged the users to respect ‘difference of opinion’.
Journalists Asma Shirazi said that Safi was an honest and courageous journalist and that use of bad words against him can not be justified.
Strange times we all are passing through when no one tolerate the difference of opinion @SaleemKhanSafi is an honest and courageous journalist you may differ his opinion but how can you be allowed to use bad words but who cares . Stay strong safi sb
— Asma Shirazi (@asmashirazi) August 25, 2018
Gharida Farooqi said that people do have the right to disagree with Safi but no one had the right to use disrespectful remarks against him.
Saleem Safi sb is one of the rare refined & credible journalists. He has the absolute right to stand by his words, others have the right to disagree but absolutely no right to disrespect. Journalism is not a crime. I stand with you @SaleemKhanSafi Stay strong as ever!
— Gharidah Farooqi (T.I.) (@GFarooqi) August 25, 2018
Reham Khan lashed out at those criticising Saleem Safi over his claims.
Serious journalists like Salim Safi cannot draw attention to a fact that the former PM's lived in their own homes or paid from their own pocket without being abused by maniacs while designer fashion elites are asked to gush about fake simplicity stunts. #Hypocrisy
— Reham Khan (@RehamKhan1) August 24, 2018
Marvi Sirmed said that Safi reported what he discovered from the PM secretariat and criticised those who were taking jabs at the journalist.
What @SaleemKhanSafi said was not an opinion. He reported what he discovered from the PM Secretariat. If you dont like the information, change your opinion. You can't abuse the journalist who reports a fact. https://t.co/XSi92bmAYh
— Marvi Sirmed (@marvisirmed) August 25, 2018
Rabia Anum said those who were ‘trolling’ Saleem Safi were nothing more than just trolls.
By doing all the best efforts of “trolling” a Senior Journalist like @SaleemKhanSafi , you still remain a Troll and nothing else. Have a Difference of Opinion , but the way you show your disagreement shows your upbringing. Disagreement or disrespect your choice!
— Rabia Anum Obaid (@RabiaAnumm) August 25, 2018