KARACHI: Amnesty International has criticised what it claims is an “intensifying” crackdown on freedom of expression in Pakistan, according to an an annual report of the London-based human rights group released on Thursday. The report has also condemned the use of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 to “intimidate, harass and arbitrarily detain human […]

LAHORE: An undeclared gag on media is in place in Pakistan as journalists are prone to employ self-censorship while reporting on sensitive subjects. The views were expressed by Steven Butler, Asian Program Coordinator of Committee to Protect Journalists, Ahmed Rashid, Member Board of Directors CPJ, and Mustafa Hameed, Producer at CPJ, at a “Meet the […]

The shutting down of a US-funded Pashto-language radio station has raised concern over Pakistani authorities clamping down on free speech and Western media outlets in the country. Shah Meer Baloch reports. Flags of the US, RFE/RL and the Czech Republic waving in the wind in front of the RFE/RL headquarters in Prague (picture-alliance/dpa/M.Kamaryt) Pakistan’s Interior […]

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued contempt notices to the owner and four employees of Waqt TV on Wednesday after taking exception to a programme aired this week. Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui issued the notices to Rameeza Majeed Nizami, the owner of Nawa-i-Waqt Group, anchorperson Matiullah Jan, bureau chief Sardar Hameed and producers Mohammad […]

A well-known Pakistani TV anchor facing renewed accusations of hate speech is fighting a court order that temporarily bans him from appearing in print, on television or on social media platforms. Legal experts and rights activists are monitoring the case, which has raised the issue of free speech. In December, an Islamabad court imposed the […]

The banned militant group Baloch Liberation Front ended the boycott of media in Balochistan which it had announced in October 2017. The buycott led to severe restrictions in distribution of newspapers in most parts of the province, closure of several press clubs and attacks on press clubs and newspaper distribution offices. Talking to Pakistan Press […]