By ABDULLAH 
The political storm surrounding PTI founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan took another dramatic turn this week after clashes with journalists spilled from the courtroom to Parliament. What began as a heated exchange inside Adiala Jail during the Toshakhana case has now escalated into a wider journalists’ controversy that has triggered strong reactions from the media community.
On Monday, members of the Parliamentary Reporters Association (PRA) staged a mass walkout from the National Assembly press gallery. The protest was in response to allegations that Imran Khan verbally abused senior journalist Ijaz Ahmed during proceedings.
“[The] PTI founder hurled abuse at me for asking questions,” Ahmed told reporters, insisting the incident crossed all professional boundaries.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq intervened by directing Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar to open talks with PRA representatives to address the grievances. The walkout highlighted growing tension between Khan and segments of the press, who accuse him of disrespecting journalists critical of his politics.
The roots of the dispute go back to last week’s Toshakhana II hearing inside Adiala Jail. Eyewitnesses reported a heated verbal clash between Imran Khan and Ijaz Ahmed of GNN TV.
- According to journalist Qamar Maken, Ahmed allegedly misbehaved first, prompting Khan to demand his removal from the courtroom. Khan reportedly told Ahmed that his conduct was aimed at “pleasing the colonel” and was “not journalism, but disgraceful behavior.”
- Ahmed, however, rejected this version of events. He claimed it was Imran Khan who initiated the abuse and said he only responded after being provoked. He further accused Maken of biased reporting and dismissed him as a “lifafa journalist.”
The dispute quickly spread online, with both sides trading accusations on X (formerly Twitter). Maken escalated the spat by calling Ahmed a “tout of the establishment,” accusing him of a history of abusive behavior.
The Toshakhana case, already one of the most high-profile legal battles in Pakistan’s recent history, has once again placed Imran Khan at the center of controversy. His clash with journalists has further complicated his public image, dividing opinion across Pakistan:
- Supporters argue that Khan is unfairly targeted by hostile journalists and establishment-backed media.
- Critics see his conduct as evidence of intolerance toward a free press and his inability to handle criticism.
With the Toshakhana proceedings already fueling debate over corruption, transparency, and accountability, this latest journalists’ controversy adds another layer of political drama.
The fallout highlights a broader issue in Pakistan’s politics — the fragile relationship between politicians and the media. Journalists’ walkouts and protests are not new, but this episode reflects how courtroom tensions can easily spill into parliamentary proceedings and shape public perception.
For Imran Khan, whose party has long relied on media coverage to connect with the masses, repeated clashes with reporters risk eroding goodwill among independent journalists. For the media, the incident is being framed as a test of professional dignity and press freedom.
As the Toshakhana case continues inside Adiala Jail, attention is now shifting to how the government, Parliament, and media bodies will handle the situation. The PRA’s walkout shows journalists are willing to take collective action against perceived abuse. Meanwhile, Khan’s legal and political troubles appear far from over.
The controversy also raises questions about whether political leaders and journalists can rebuild a relationship based on respect — or whether mutual suspicion will deepen further as Pakistan approaches another turbulent election season.
The Imran Khan–journalists controversy is more than just a heated exchange it’s a snapshot of Pakistan’s polarized political climate. With the Toshakhana case dragging on and media freedom under debate, the clash has turned into a larger story about power, accountability, and the fragile bond between politicians and the press.