PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari takes notice of threats to female journalists

ISLAMABAD: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday took notice of the abuse and threats to women journalists on social media. The Bhutto scion is the head chairperson of the human rights committee in the National Assembly.

In a tweet, the PPP leader said that he had taken notice of the threats and would invite women journalists to present their point of view to the committee.

“Have taken notice of threats to women journalists as chair of human rights committee. Would like to invite you all to come brief our committee on the issue,” he tweeted.

Have taken notice of threats to women journalists as chair of human rights committee. Would like to invite you all to come brief our committee on the issue. https://t.co/Yu8aF3nuEe

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) August 12, 2020

A joint statement by women journalists Wednesday decried the ruling party for “the vicious online attacks through social media are instigated by government supporters”.

“In some cases, journalists have been locked out of their social media accounts as a result of hacking attempts,” read the statement.

“Our social media timelines are then barraged with gender-based slurs, threats of sexual and physical violence. These have the potential to incite violence and lead to hate crimes, putting our physical safety at risk,” it added.

“Last July, Shireen Mazari, the minister for human rights, promised to take notice of threats against journalists and to address the climate of abuse, bullying, fear, and censorship. Ms. Mazari, we are waiting,” the statement said.