Attack on Iqrar ul Hassan: The Gujranwala Incident Unfolded
In a shocking turn of events, Pakistan’s television journalist, Iqrar ul Hassan, has become the latest high-profile victim of desperate tactics used by banged-faced exorcists in our nation. He was attacked while on his way to an interview with a spiritual leader in Gujranwala – a group of assailants he says wielding stones and sticks at his vehicle – all in the wake of Hassan’s challenge to the spiritual leader’s ghostbusting appeal to the Pakistani public.
On 21 May 2024, the investigative journalist Iqrar ul Hassan, host of the show ‘Sar-e-Aam’ was attacked while driving near a university in Gujranwala. In 2024, the religious cleric Haq Khateeb, who claims to be a spiritual heir of the Prophet Muhammad, has a large following across Punjab. Hassan, while driving to the university gate late at night was attacked by a mob of Haq Khateeb’s followers. Stones and wooden sticks were used to attack his vehicle. It was a narrow escape – although the vehicles were damaged, Hassan and a few members of his staff received just minor injuries.
The man behind it, the probe show’s anchor Iqrar ul Hassan, has made his name exposing charlatans. He started his career in Pakistani electronic media in 2006 as a reporter on ARY News (formerly, ARY One World). Originally a newscaster, he now hosts the daily television show ‘Sar-e-Aam’ (‘Common Man’) which shows how Pakistan’s bureaucratic setup works and how the poor of the country are being exploited by rampant corruption, bribery rackets, and malpractices in different sectors.
Indeed, Hassan had challenged Haq Khateeb earlier last year to demonstrate his healing powers in public. He called them miracles. Hassan was attacked in Gujranwala only recently after being accused of saring lahoon (blood religion) by Haq Khateeb. Speaking truth to power, exposing malfeasance and corruption, often reflects poorly on the powerful. Thus it’s not surprising that Hassan is regarded as a problem for the powerful. But occasionally it’s also a life-threatening kind of problem.
Until we hear more, let’s hope Iqrar ul Hassan makes it away safely, and continues his important work in investigative journalisms in Pakistan.
#IqrarUlHassan #GujranwalaAttack #InvestigativeJournalism #TruthSeeker #JournalisticCourage #whatshappening
SOURCE
