Rights groups urge PM to protect press freedom

Rights groups urge PM to protect press freedom

Nine press freedom and human rights organisations have urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take immediate steps to address what they described as Pakistan’s worsening environment for journalists and independent media.

The organisations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, CIVICUS, the International Federation for Human Rights, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, International Press Institute, Freedom Network, Bolo Bhi and Rural Media Network Pakistan, expressed serious concern over growing restrictions on the media.

In a letter to the prime minister, the groups said journalists in recent months had faced disappearances, arrests, criminal investigations and restrictions on reporting from certain areas. They also raised concerns over journalists losing their jobs amid alleged pressure from government and law enforcement authorities.

The organisations particularly criticised the increasing use of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), 2016, and investigations by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) against journalists covering issues of public interest.

They also demanded a transparent and timely investigation into the June attack on journalist Mian Zahid Owaisi, calling for those responsible to face justice.

The groups urged the government to remove restrictions on foreign media and stop using information blackouts to limit journalists’ access to information. They also raised concerns over the alleged blocking of Al Jazeera’s website after criticism of its reporting on Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The organisations further called for an end to interference in the operations of independent broadcasters. They cited the dismissal of veteran journalist Munizae Jahangir by Aaj TV after 11 years and the cancellation of her current affairs programme. According to the groups, her removal came amid pressure over coverage of sensitive issues.

They also referred to the 15-day suspension of Geo News’ broadcast licence as another example of increasing pressure on independent media.

In its annual report released in May, Freedom Network warned that Pakistan’s media sector faced an existential crisis due to growing restrictions, deteriorating journalist safety and job insecurity.

The report linked the situation partly to amendments to Peca introduced in January 2025, which it said expanded authorities’ ability to take action against journalists and dissidents both online and offline.

Freedom Network Executive Director Iqbal Khattak said the situation posed a serious threat to the foundations of democracy, warning that authorities were showing less tolerance for critical questioning and public-interest journalism.