Minister Murtaza Solangi’s U-turn on freedom of expression draws criticism
ISLAMABAD—Minister for Information Murtaza Solangi is under fire for changing his stance on freedom of expression, with novelist Mohammad Hanif doubting his journalistic credentials.
Before joining the caretaker government of Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar, Solangi, in several tweets, supported and appreciated human rights activist Imaan Mazari, daughter of former minister for human rights Shireen Mazari. Currently behind bars, Imaan is facing cases for provocation against state institutions.
When the PTI was in power in October 2020 and January 2022, Solangi backed and appreciated Imaan for her work.
However, as the caretaker information minister, he condemned Imaan’s speech at a PTM rally in Islamabad this month as a condemnable act. He told The Guardian that he could not imagine the result of such speeches. Pakistan is a nuclear state. How can someone say that the headquarters commander or chief of the army is involved in terrorism?
When it was pointed out that he applauded Imaan Mazari for successfully defending activists and journalists before joining the caretaker government, Mohammad Hanif wondered: Never seen him do any journalism. Has anyone?
Mahim Maher, a former city editor of Express Tribune, thought the information minister should never be allowed to say he is a journalist again. In another post on X, she said he didn’t even have the brains to say something differently from the same tripe.
Another user on X shared a tweet of Murtaza where he supports PTM for exercising fundamental rights and going ahead with a rally.
Source: App
” 
” 
” 
” 
” 
