Category: Freedom of Expression

On May 3, journalists’ associations in Pakistan expressed concerns over the country’s deteriorating state of media freedom. The Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) and the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) issued statements shedding light on the myriad challenges faced by journalists in Pakistan.

AEMEND condemned the increase in attacks on journalists, with many losing their lives or being injured in the line of duty. They decried restrictions on media outlets, including pressure tactics leading to job losses and unwarranted demands from state and non-state actors. The association expressed particular concern over the character assassination of journalists, especially women in the media, used as a tool to silence dissent.

In addition to physical threats, AEMEND pointed out tactics to curb media freedom, ranging from unwarranted notices from government agencies to the shutdown of communication services during important events. The association also criticized the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) for issuing directives that appear arbitrary.

CPNE also highlighted a similar situation in its report, covering the period from January 2023 to April 2024, which provides a grim assessment of the ongoing assault on press freedom. The report emphasized the experiences of journalists, including targeted assaults, arrests, and threats from influential figures in the political and private sectors.

Financial constraints compound the challenges faced by media personnel, with delayed advertisement payments exacerbating the already precarious financial situation of media outlets. The CPNE called upon the government to expedite the release of outstanding dues, emphasizing the critical role of financial stability in safeguarding journalistic independence.

The situation for press freedom and media safety in Pakistan, as reflected in the Pakistan Press Foundation’s World Press Freedom Day 2024 report, was one of legal action, arrests, continued attacks, internet closures, and regulation that hindered the media’s ability to cover a year of key political developments.

In 2023, PPF documented at least: 46 instances of manhandling/injuries, five instances of raids, eight instances of damage to property or DSNG vans of media houses or attacks on the residence of journalists, four detentions, five instances of media professionals being abducted, kidnapped or going missing, 14 instances of harassment including stopping them from coverage or heckling them, 28 instances of online or in-person threats or harassment including death threats, 16 arrests, nine instances of case registration other than arrests, three instances of arrest warrants being issued, 12 instances of PEMRA prohibition orders, directives or instructions being issued, two instances of show-cause notices being issued, four instances of television broadcast being suspended, six instances of online or mobile connectivity censorship including restrictions in access to social media platforms and one instance where court barred coverage.

Between January and April 2024, PPF has so far documented at least: eight instances of manhandling/injuries, seven instances of online or in-person threats or harassment, including death threats, two instances of arrests, one instance of case registration other than arrests, two instances of notices issued including one of approximately 47 journalists being issued notices by the FIA Cybercrime Wing, two instances of PEMRA prohibition orders, directives or instructions being issued, one instance of show-cause notices being issued to four channels, nine instances of online or mobile connectivity censorship including restrictions in access to social media platforms, three instances where court or police barred coverage and one instance where two media professionals’ names were placed on the Exit Control List.

Pakistan has descended two places in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on May 3. The country now stands at 152 out of 180 nations, marking a decline from its position at 150 in the previous year’s index.

The RSF report highlights that the political indicator, one of the five metrics used to compile its rankings, saw the most significant decline, dropping by an average of 7.6 points globally during the review period. This decline reflects a troubling trend across numerous countries, where governments and political authorities are increasingly failing to uphold their roles as guarantors of a conducive environment for journalism. This had led to a “worrying decline” in support for media autonomy and an uptick in state or political pressures.

The situation for press freedom and media safety in Pakistan, as reflected in the Pakistan Press Foundation’s World Press Freedom Day report, was one of legal action, arrests, continued attacks, internet closures, and regulation that hindered the media’s ability to cover a year of key political developments.

In 2023, PPF documented at least: 46 instances of manhandling/injuries, five instances of raids, eight instances of damage to property or DSNG vans of media houses or attacks on the residence of journalists, four detentions, five instances of media professionals being abducted, kidnapped or going missing, 14 instances of harassment including stopping them from coverage or heckling them, 28 instances of online or in-person threats or harassment including death threats, 16 arrests, nine instances of case registration other than arrests, three instances of arrest warrants being issued, 12 instances of PEMRA prohibition orders, directives or instructions being issued, two instances of show-cause notices being issued, four instances of television broadcast being suspended, six instances of online or mobile connectivity censorship including restrictions in access to social media platforms and one instance where court barred coverage.

Between January and April 2024, PPF has so far documented at least: eight instances of manhandling/injuries, seven instances of online or in-person threats or harassment, including death threats, two instances of arrests, one instance of case registration other than arrests, two instances of notices issued including one of approximately 47 journalists being issued notices by the FIA Cybercrime Wing, two instances of PEMRA prohibition orders, directives or instructions being issued, one instance of show-cause notices being issued to four channels, nine instances of online or mobile connectivity censorship including restrictions in access to social media platforms, three instances where court or police barred coverage and one instance where two media professionals’ names were placed on the Exit Control List.

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) is concerned by threats issued to Roznama Adalat Akhbar’s editor Sherbaz Muneer and journalist Zafar Mughal in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. We urge relevant authorities to ensure that journalists are able to safely do their work without fear of consequences. 

According to Mughal, threats follow a news story published in Daily Adalat on April 5, detailing the removal of two sub-inspectors by the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police due to suspected connections to criminal elements.

On April 18, Mughal found a handwritten letter in his mailbox containing violent threats against him and his editor, Sherbaz Muneer. The letter explicitly warned them to refrain from reporting on police officials and threatened to burn their office and harm them if they did not comply. 

It stated: “Zafar Mughal, journalist, and Sherbaz Muneer, editor, you both published a news story against Arshad Gujjar Sialkoti on April 5 in Adalat newspaper. Now prepare yourselves, we will see you and Sherbaz. You will remember this, your journalism will end. We will burn your office. You will never publish any news regarding the police officials. Prepare yourselves, and also inform your DIG friend that he can do what he wants, we will also see him. We will also burn his DIG house, and he will not live in Mirpur anymore. You are being a puppet of the DIG, we will shoot both of you, and will end your journalism.” 

Upon receiving the letter, Mughal filed an application to DIG Police Chaudhary Sajjad Hussain, describing the threatening incident. The First Information Report (FIR) 121/24 was lodged at the Thothal police station on April 22, under Section 506 of the Azad Penal Code (APC), which addresses criminal intimidation involving threats of death or severe injury. Following the FIR, the direct threats stopped.

Editor Sherbaz Muneer told PPF on April 23 that he received a threatening call four or five days before the letter, but it was in Punjabi, and he did not fully understand it. He initially dismissed it as a typical call for a crime journalist, but after receiving the threatening letter, he considered that the call might have been related.

On April 23, SHO Wajahat Kazmi told PPF that the police investigation has just begun, and no leads have been found yet. 

An emergency meeting of the Pakistan Professional Union of Journalists (PPUJ) was held on April 19 to discuss the situation, with Central President Khawar Bukhari and other officials participating. The PPUJ condemned the threats and urged the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the DIG Mirpur Division, and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mirpur to ensure the arrest of those responsible for threatening journalists and provide security to them.

The PPF calls on the authorities to act swiftly to ensure the safety of journalists and prevent future threats against media personnel.

Murtaza Ali Shah, a reporter for Geo News and The News London, is facing life-threatening intimidation from the Indian state due to his extensive coverage of Khalistan issues, according to the Sikh Federation UK.

Dabinderjit Singh, leader of the pro-Khalistan British Sikh organisation, went public with this information during an interview with the Sikh Channel Akaal TV. The Sikh Federation has disseminated this information widely through social media channels and the interview.

Singh, a retired civil servant who established the Sikh Federation a decade ago, alleges that Shah’s inclusion on an Indian government hit list stems from his dedicated coverage of Sikh issues, with a particular focus on Khalistan Referendum activities and the group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), which India has banned.

“Murtaza Ali Shah covers Sikh issues for Geo TV but is not a Sikh. In particular, Murtaza Shah has been covering the Khalistan Referendum organised by Sikhs For Justice in the UK, Canada, Switzerland, and Italy. He has been reaching to these places from London for coverage,” Singh explained, directly connecting Shah’s journalistic work to the threats he faces.

The Metropolitan Police have been made aware of the threats to Shah’s life.

Singh expressed deep concern, stating that the UK’s intelligence center, Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), “monitors everything ” and must therefore be aware of the danger faced by activists.