JournalismPakistan.com | Published January 02, 2017
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD - Muhammad Lijian Zhao, a Chinese diplomat based in Islamabad, and 92 News analyst Rauf Klasra (pictured) were Monday involved in a bitter tweeting match that started with the question of jobs for locals in the CPEC projects before both harshly confronted each other.
On Twitter Zhao tells people to “follow” him “to get news about China & CPEC Based in Chinese Embassy in Pakistan."
The tussle started with a Klasra tweet in which he said that Senate was informed that Chinese firms were “importing all labor” from China, hinting that locals were not given jobs as purchases were also not from Pakistan.
Zhao immediately reacted, asking Klasra “Could you tell who has informed Senate about this lie? Quoting such a high office is extremely irresponsible. Senators could not be fooled.” In another tweet he said: “Another joke of the day. Over 10000 Pakistanis are working on Sahiwal, Port Qasim, M-5, KKH etc. Most steel, cement, sand are bought locally.”
Klasra then raised the issue of China closing down coal plants because of pollution and wondered if the same were being installed in Pakistan – “Is coal plants machinery same of plants being closed in China b/c of rising pollution or its new machinery? Will u pls enlighten us?” Klasra asked the Chinese diplomat to read the December 2014 issue of The Economist “which reported closure of Chinese coal plants & death of 0.5m/yr Or i ll send u copy.”
Zhao maintained coal is China’s main source of power production – 61% - and also denied that China was closing down coal plants. When Klasra pointed towards “Why 0.5m/year deaths b/c coal pollution” in China, Zhao termed it a “big lie”.
However, Klasra retorted: “Pls stop terming facts as lie. You better read ur own country affairs. Sorry to say but u r ignorant to whats happening in Coal in China.”
When Klasra pointed towards democracy and concept of free media, Zhao maintained: “China has free & responsible media.” However he added: “I do know a handful of people spreading lies, rumors in disguise of free media. I know how to deal with.”
Afterwards both Klasra and Zhao got personal.
Klasra maintained: “I am afraid with that much little or zero knowledge about latest on coal plants in China & u ll ruin Chinese Govt credibility as its spokesman.”
Zhao responded: “Deng Xiao said, when you open window, both air & flies come in. CPEC enjoys wide support in Pakistan. A few noises do not matter to CPEC.”
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.
April 03, 2025: Veteran journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah has joined Discover Pakistan Television as the Head of Programming. With 25 years of experience in leading news organizations, he looks forward to contributing to quality storytelling and content.
April 02, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the visit of a group of Pakistani journalists to Israel, calling it a violation of journalistic ethics and a betrayal of press freedom and human rights. PFUJ demands a transparent investigation into the matter.
March 30, 2025: Dawn criticizes Pakistan’s plan to use TV dramas against extremism, highlighting financial and digital challenges. Can media alone solve deep-rooted issues?
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.
March 28, 2025 Turkey deports BBC journalist Mark Lowen over 'public order' threat and fines opposition TV channels covering Istanbul Mayor's arrest. Critics condemn crackdown on press freedom amid rising political tensions.