Legal action, arrests, continued attacks, internet closures and regulation — A

hindered and restricted media cover an election year in Pakistan

Press Freedom and Media Safety in Pakistan

Over the past year, as its role became increasingly important in a year of key political developments, the
media in Pakistan experienced a clampdown with efforts to stifle free speech at all levels and the impact
of previous restrictions and reprisal bearing fruit to silence the media.

The year saw direct action against media professionals including threats, physical attacks and legal
action, to regulation, and the sometimes unexplained and repeated closures to internet access and
mobile connectivity. As a result, journalists and media professionals were limited in their ability to report
and worked within an overly regulated and restrictive media landscape riddled with red lines and a fear
of consequences.

At the helm, the new government must ensure that the media’s ability to freely report is not
undermined through a push for regulatory laws, punitive action against journalists and media
professionals or through extended closures of social media platforms. The government must stay true to
its word and ensure that they support free expression and media safety in the country.

In December 2022, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had promised the implementation of the Protection of
Journalists and Media Professionals Act 2021. This implementation is still lacking and as the premier
again, the premier must follow up and ensure that this law is made active first and foremost by drafting
the rules of the law and establishing the Commission required under the law.

At a time of horrific violence against journalists in Gaza with the killing of 97 journalists since October
2023, as documented by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Pakistan must emphasize its
commitment to the safety of journalists and media professionals not just domestically but at a global
scale.
Key political events in Pakistan between 2023 and 2024 culminated in a general election on February 8,
after much anticipation and uncertainty about when they were to be held. In the midst of heightened
political activity, the role of the media was essential in ensuring timely and accurate coverage of
developments including the arrest of the opposition leader and members of a political party, a caretaker
government being sworn in, build up to the elections, election day and aftermath of the election.

However, an overall environment of fear of consequences for those who pushed the boundaries in place
as well as a lack of clarity about restrictions imposed resulted in a controlled and largely self censored
media hampering its ability to cover general elections in a free and unhindered manner. This led to a
hindered and restricted media covering the elections and all the surrounding development both in the
lead up and post election period.

May 2023 proved to be an alarming month for the safety of journalists and media professionals.
Following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on May 9, a wave of attacks on the media
were documented and set the tone for the role of the media as well as the consequences they were to
face. The media became the target of physical violence at the hands of both protestors and authorities
and both property including offices and DSNG vans for media outlets were attacked. Raids were
conducted at the homes of media professionals and multiple media persons were arrested or went
missing after being picked up.

In the midst of the hyper activity, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on May 9 blocked
mobile internet services and access to social media websites, which were restored on May 12 and May
15 respectively. This was not the first or last internet blockage the country witnessed in 2023 and 2024
with repeat disruptions in access taking place closer to the general elections.

The day of the general elections and the period surrounding it took place largely without incidents of
violence against the media, however, sporadic incidents were documented in the lead up of the
elections during political party rallies and journalists faced vile campaigns, rhetoric and harassment
online particularly women journalists and media professionals. These forms of harassment were often
initiated and spurred by political party leaders and members.

Despite the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Code of Conduct for Political Parties, Contesting
Candidates, and Election Agents stating that political parties will “firmly restrain” their workers from
exerting influence on the media or resorting to violence against them, media professionals faced
incidents of violence from political parties that now form the government. On January 25, PNN reporter
Noroz Rana was assaulted by supporters of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) political party
during a rally in Vehari, Punjab. In another incident, on January 30, at a political gathering in Lahore, the
Talon News team, including reporter Hanooq, driver Hammad, and cameraperson Farooq, faced violence
at the hands of PML-N supporters. On January 26, Naya Daur correspondent Moammar Qazzafi and his
cameraman Moazzam Bukhari were assaulted by supporters of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and a
candidate of the party, Ch. Adnan Sarwar Gorsi.
Following the election, journalists and media professionals faced targeted smear campaigns online. The
attacks online often target women in the media. In the wake of ARY News anchorperson Meher
Bukhari’s tweet regarding PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah Khan, over 50 social media users have launched
a barrage of attacks against the anchor. The Reporters. Pk Editor Saddia Mazhar became the target of a
severe online attack after she posted on X about consultations between the PML-N and the Pakistan
People’s Party (PPP) – sparked by news of discussions about forming a coalition government. She
reported that numerous accounts bombarded her with offensive and vulgar tweets, aggressively
retweeting her posts. Despite her efforts to block these accounts, Mazhar continues to be plagued by a
relentless influx of abusive messages.

Separately, 92 News anchorperson Amir Mateen faced hateful comments following his tweets critiquing
the political landscape and the PML-N’s moves.

Physical attacks and threats to media professionals accompanied the picking up of journalists with
complete impunity, arrests on the basis of the heavy handedness of the state and legal action including
registration of criminal complaints and notices from state bodies such as the Federal Investigation
Agency (FIA).

Perhaps the most significant such incident that demonstrated the heavy handedness of state bodies
came with the FIA notices to dozens of journalists and media professionals for allegedly being part of an
“explicit and malicious campaign against Honorable Judges of [the] Supreme Court of Pakistan.”

Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa took suo-motu notice of the “alleged harassment” of journalists
and on January 29 said that no journalists should be booked. Following the elections on February 8, one
of the journalists who had received the notice from the FIA, journalist and YouTuber Asad Ali Toor
received another notice on February 20 asking him to appear before the agency and record his version
on February 23. After being detained by the agency for eight hours on the day prior, Toor received a
subsequent notice asking him to appear before the agency on February 26. He was arrested on February
26 by the FIA.

Following his arrest, the FIA was first granted a five-day physical remand of Toor, which was extended by
two days. On March 8, he was sent to jail on a 14-day judicial remand.

Toor was released from jail after being granted bail on March 16.

The landscape for digital media became one of increased control and often unexplained and elongated
disruptions in access in social media platforms including closure of X, formerly Twitter, which still
remains disrupted two months after it was closed, mobile services and internet access that were
extended beyond the specified reason such as safety during elections.
As the country went to polls on February 8, they also woke to the closure of mobile connectivity and
data services. Authorities stated that cell phone services had been suspended due to security reasons.
However, the suspension stayed in place for hours after the end of polling at 5pm. A “lack of
communication” was also blamed for the delay in results. This cast a doubt over the electoral process
and while there may be security grounds for the closure, the move contradicted the authorities repeat
statements ahead of elections that internet services would not be disrupted unless they received a
request from local authorities due to security. A widespread nationwide disruption beyond closure of
polls is not reflective of requests received by local authorities.

The disruption in access to the internet did not stop here. On February 17, disruption in access to X
began in the country and persists till today more than two months after it was first imposed without any
explanation. The PTA nor the government immediately provided any explanation for the internet
closures. In fact, upon forming the government, the PML-N provided varying statements on the
disruption including Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stating that it was working. The information
minister then stated that X had already been blocked when they came to power, Dawn reported. The
PTA also told the Sindh High Court (SHC) that the social media platform had been banned on the orders
of the interior minister based on a report by intelligence agencies, as per Dawn.

On April 17, X Global Government Affairs said that it continued to work with the Pakistani Government
to understand their concerns. The cases against X being blocked remain in court and access remains
disrupted with little clarity when it will be restored.

At the same time, legislation for increased regulation online was proposed and approved by the federal
cabinet under the previous government who are now at the helm once again. On July 27, 2023 the
federal cabinet at the time approved two bills regarding content online — the Personal Data Protection
Bill 2023 and the E-Safety Bill 2023.

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on March 30, a cell to monitor social media platforms regarding
violation of existing laws was set up. On April 16, a notice was issued to two media professionals Raja
Khalid and Waqas Kazmi, regarding their videos concerning AJK Finance Minister Abdul Majid Khan.

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill 2023 was also approved and
became law. Initially, the then information minister Marriyum Aurangzaib had said that the amendment
bill, which adds definitions for disinformation and misinformation, had been withdrawn due to concerns
of the journalists’ community. However, on the last day of the government’s tenure, the bill was passed
after “some last minute changes,” Dawn reported.

Broadcast media remained a heavily regulated space with media coverage appearing visibly tame and
acting within red lines of coverage. In a bizarre yet telling state of the restrictions, coverage of the leader
of the largest opposition party, former prime minister Imran Khan, was banned by Pakistan Electronic
Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).
The ban on speeches or coverage of former prime minister Imran Khan was imposed in March 2023. In
January of this year, Pemra had told the Lahore High Court (LHC) that there was no ban on speeches by
the former premier. On January 31, the LHC, in a directive, had also told the regulator to ensure that all
candidates were given “free and unrestricted access to media, " Dawn reported.

The Sindh High Court (SHC) had lifted the ban temporarily before reinstating it and the regulator told the
LHC that there was no restriction on his coverage, however, the level playing field required in election
coverage was distorted through such directives and reflected in the nature of coverage observed in
broadcast media.

In March, Punjab Director General Public Relations (DGPR) Rubina Afzal said that a plan to use Artificial
Intelligence (AI) was being developed to monitor electronic media. While AI, similar to other
technological revolutions, presents new avenues for growth and progress, in an environment of
immense regulation and control of the media, plans to use AI to monitor electronic media must be clear
and not act as a tool for further regulation.

The courts including the nation’s top court, the Supreme Court, have taken up cases pertaining to the
harassment of journalists and media professionals with proceedings underway. With cases underway
since 2019, they appear to stay in process without any conclusive judgments, further indicative of the
impunity surrounding crimes against the media. While the top judge, Chief Justice Isa has taken suo
motu notice of some cases where journalists were targeted, his narrative in some instances has opened
the door for doubt and action against journalists.

Despite limited violence around the election itself, the nature of limitations on speech including through
closure of access to platforms disseminating information and through specific directives barring
coverage of certain topics or persons, the media that covered the elections appeared to be self-censored
and tamed. Journalists and media professionals who continued their reporting faced consequences in
the form of punitive measures including arrests, abductions and legal consequences.

In 2023, Pakistan Press Foundation (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.
In its annual report on the state of press freedom and media safety in Pakistan during 2023, released in
January 2024, PPF had called for an “urgent review of the overt and covert restrictions on press freedom
that continue to be imposed in Pakistan '' and warned of the “alarming picture” that the environment for
press freedom in 2023 had set for media coverage of elections.

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.

Timeline
2023
January
● January 1: Geo News team harassed by Frontier Works Organization (FWO) staff during the
coverage of a traffic jam near toll plaza Karachi.
● January 3: K2N anchorperson Saima Kanwal receives a threatening call.
● January 4: Internet services restored in Gwadar, Balochistan after days long closure.
● January 6: Arrest warrants for Ammad Yousaf issued.
● January 14: Bol News journalist Shahid Aslam arrested by FIA.
● January 17: Geo News correspondent Sheeba Haider faces mistreatment from polio campaign
manager at Cantonment Hospital Peshawar.
● January 25: 24 News reporter Irshad Qureshi harassed during Sheikh Rasheed's press
conference.
● January 26: Journalist Fawad Ali Shah found to be deported from Malaysia and under arrest in
Pakistan.
● January 28: Arrest warrants issued for Samaa TV reporter Sanjay Sadhwani.
● January 30: Khyber TV Peshawar correspondent Malik Ismail stopped from coverage by police.
February
● February 1: Suno TV correspondent Muhibullah and cameraman Yaseen Khan manhandled by
staff of Chaman Passport Office.
● February 1: Ameer Ali Kalhoro manhandled by ASI police official.
● February 1: Wikipedia services degraded in Pakistan for 48 hours.
● February 2: Anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan arrested.
 ● February 4: Bill prepared with five year imprisonment for anyone who ridicules or scandalizes
the judiciary or Army.
● February 5: PEMRA prohibits coverage of F-9 Park rape in Islamabad.
● February 6: Wikipedia services restored in Pakistan.
● February 7: Journalist Javeria Siddique faces online trolling campaign.
● February 8: Geo News reporter Haider Sheerazi threatened by AJK PM.
● February 20: The News journalist Sher Ali receives threatening messages.
● February 20: PEMRA prohibits broadcast, rebroadcast or live coverage of terrorist attacks.
● February 20: Show-cause notice issued to GNN.
● February 25: Capital TV parliamentary reporter Akram Baloch manhandled by Bilawal Bhutto’s
secretary.
● February 27: Scuffle between Imran Riaz Khan and police at Gaddafi Stadium.
March
● March 1: Multiple journalists manhandled by security staff of the Islamabad High Court during
Imran Khan’s court appearance.
● March 5: PEMRA bans addresses by former prime minister Imran Khan.
● March 6: Ary News transmission suspended,
● March 8: Lok Sujag Regional Editor Abid Mir goes missing.
● March 9: Journalists injured during Aurat March coverage in Islamabad.
● March 9: PEMRA bans broadcast of any content pertaining to the conduct of sitting judges of the
high courts and superior court.
● March 10: PIMS staff manhandle 7 News media persons Muhammad Anwar Abbasi and Naveed
Satti.
● March 10: Shahid Masood’s show on GNN suspended by PEMRA for two weeks.
● March 11: Seven journalists attacked by Islamabad High Court security staff.
● March 15: Journalists Kashif Mushtaq, Zeeshan Iqbal and Shahadat Baloch injured while covering
an anti-encroachment drive in Karachi.
● March 18: Gohar Siyal arrested during Imran Khan’s court appearance.
● March 18: PEMRA bans live/recorded coverage of proceedings from Judicial Complex,
Islamabad.
● March 18: Bol News taken off-air for live coverage outside the Judicial Complex.
● March 20: Bol News Islamabad Bureau Chief Siddique Jan picked up from outside his office in
Islamabad.
● March 22: GTV reporter Tanzeela Mazhar faces digital harassment.
● March 23: Muhammad Hassan Raza receives threatening calls from terror groups.
● March 27: Bol News photo journalist Syed Daniyal Ahmed attacked by a fruit seller.
● March 27: PEMRA bans live/recorded coverage of any rally, public gathering in Islamabad.
April
● April 3: ABN crime reporter Jamshaid Qadir stopped from covering an incident in the jurisdiction
of Sadiqabad Police Station in Rawalpindi, manhandled and detained.
 ● April 4: Senator Azam Khan Swati calls a journalist a 'pimp' for asking a question during a media
talk.
● April 4: Daily Tameel crime reporter Raja Israr was threatened by Islamabad Electric Company
local contractor for asking questions regarding transformer installation.
● April 13: Sahiwal based journalist Sadia Mazhar receives threatening letter from Sahiwal Club
secretary for filing information request.
● April 13: Regional head of Koh-e-Noor TV and Chief Editor of Daily Pindi Today Muhammad
Iftikhar Bhiatti threatened by housing society's Ceo and GM of Marketing.
● April 29: Dunya News crime reporter Shahbaz Khan stopped by police from covering a firing
incident in Liaquatabad, Karachi.
May
● May 6: Tribal council administration head Haroon Abbasi threatened Neo News reporters
Haroon Tanoli.
● May 9: DSNG van for DawnNews TV targeted in protests in Peshawar.
● May 9: DSNG van for Aaj TV attacked in Peshawar.
● May 9: DSNG van for Khyber News attacked in Peshawar.
● May 9: DSNG van for Express News attacked in Peshawar.
● May 9: Dawn News TV correspondent Arif Hayat attacked during protests in Peshawar.
● May 9: GNN News reporter Faizan Ali was manhandled by police covering the PTI protests in
Quetta.
● May 9: GNN News cameraperson Shehbaz Ali was manhandled by police covering the PTI
protests in Quetta.
● May 9: AFP News Banaras Khan was barred from covering the PTI protest in Quetta.
● May 9: Daily Intekhab cameraperson Alexander Kalwin manhandled by police.
● May 9: Hassan Ali of The Nation physically assaulted and arrested by Islamabad Police.
● May 9: Mashal Radio correspondent Azmat Khan arrested by Mardan police officials in a
misunderstanding.
● May 9: Khyber TV's Malik Ismail attacked by PTI mob in Suri Pul in Peshawar.
● May 9: Geo News reporter Dua Mirza manhandled by police in Lahore.
● May 9: Islamabad police have manhandled local journalist Salman Idrees Qazi covering PTI
protests.
● May 9: In Rawalpindi, Express News producer and social activist Syed Mustajab Hassan and Suno
TV producer Muhammad Faizan Ashraf were manhandled by police.
● May 9: Malik Ismail told PPF that he was near Radio Pakistan when the violent mob of Pakistan
Tehreek e Insaaf attacked him, and manhandled him during the coverage.
● May 9: A local reporter of Samaa News channel tortured by Islamabad Police (Tikka Khan Sani).
● May 9: Case registered by Allahabad Police in Kasur against City 49 correspondent Rafiq Sajid for
covering the PTI protest mistaking him for a party worker.
● May 9: PTA blocks mobile internet services nationwide following Imran Khan's arrest.
● May 10: Radio Pakistan building in Peshawar attacked by PTI protestors following Imran Khan's
arrest.
 ● May 11: YouTube Arqum Sheikh kidnapped in Lahore; location unknown.
● May 11: Bol News anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan arrested by FIA.
● May 11: TV host Aftab Iqbal arrested and released a day later.
● May 11: Journalist Orya Maqbool Jan arrested from his Lahore residence without legal notice.
● May 12: Mobile internet services restored.
● May 13: Senior journalist Abdul Sattar receives threats from unidentified people.
● May 14: Neo News Lahore photojournalist Salman Hassan arrested and later released.
● May 15: Pemra issues instructions to TV channels prohibiting content threatening national
security.
● May 15: Social media access fully restored.
● May 17: Journalist Hafiz Mehboob Ali's father arrested for his son's coverage and later released.
● May 17: Lahore reporter Jahangir Hayat harassed and physically abused by police; house raided.
● May 17: Nasrullah Gadani arrested in Mirpur Mathelo under Maintenance of Public Order.
● May 19: Social activist and Youtuber Anum Sheikh arrested in Islamabad.
● May 21: Sarfaraz Khan of GNN news Lahore faces police harassment.
● May 22: Bol News correspondent Shahid Aslam harassed by Punjab Police; apartment raided.
● May 24: Bol News President Sami Abraham picked up by 8-10 plainclothes, unidentified men in
four cars in Islamabad.
● May 26: PEMRA issues warning to drama Tere Bin.
● May 28: Eight journalists were manhandled and physically tortured by police officials in the
jurisdiction of Bhara Kahu police station, Islamabad.
● May 31: Daily Ausaf Correspondent Ehsan Rahman Sagar receives threats.
● May 31: Pemra issues a directive calling on broadcasters to "remain vigilant" and not promote
"any hate monger, perpetrators and their facilitators" and stopping TV channels from giving
airtime to such individuals.
June
● June 2: Express Tribune Senior News Reporters Syed Safdar Rizvi threatened in Karachi.
● June 6: Geo News executive producer Zubair Anjum picked up from his residence in Karachi.
● June 12: Case registered against Shaheen Sehbai, Wajahat Saeed Khan, Adil Raja and Haider
Mehdi for abetting mutiny.
● June 13: Islamabad police books journalists Moeed Pirzada and Sabir Shakir for incitement.
● June 14: Journalist Sabir Shakir receives life threats from an unidentified person.
● June 15: Case registered against Bol News President Sami Abraham and Bol News owner Shoaib
Sheikh.
● June 19: PNN News reporter Abdul Raheem detained by Shikarpur Police.
● June 20: Sports journalist Musarat Ullah Jan attacked outside Qayyum Stadium in Peshawar.
● June 22: Ishaq Dar slaps Shahid Qureshi
● June 21: Another case registered against Sabir Shakir after a raid at his Islamabad residence.
● June 29: Mehran TV correspondent Saifullah Baloch arrested by Sukkur Police for protest
coverage.
July
 ● July 1: Daily Ummat correspondent Muhammad Khan Sasoli attacked in Khuzdar, Balochistan.
● July 4: Freelancer Manahil Sarfraz faced online backlash for a social video.
● July 7: Daily Nawa-e-Waqt Reporter Rana Nadeem Saleem slapped during coverage in
Shahdadpur, Sindh.
● July 8: Jang News Karachi Senior Education Reporter Muhammad Syed Hassan Askari picked up
in Karachi. Returned safely 24 hours later.
● July 11: Dawn News Reporter Arif Hayat detained after covering a PTI event in Peshawar.
● July 13: Daily Wahdat Newspaper photojournalist Shahzad Ahmed harassed in Peshawar.
● July 13: ARY News Sports Journalist Shoaib Jatt receives life threats for his report.
● July 14: ARY News Sukkur Bureau Chief Sahrish Khokar faces online harassment.
● July 14: Khyber News Peshawar correspondent Malik Ismail and cameraperson Sardar Ali
Yousafzai threatened by a quack doctor in Peshawar.
● July 14: Sindh TV reporter Riaz Zardari attacked in the Sanghar district.
● July 14: Gidroshia Digital Media Reporter Saddam Adam's residence shot at in Balochistan.
● July 14: 92 News reporter Aqsa Mir and photojournalist Amir Hussain mistreated in Civil
Hospital Sibi, Balochistan.
● July 18: Daily Hum Awam Swat Resident Editor Badar Zaman charged by the AC Swat.
● July 23: Voice of America Urdu reporter Murtaza Zaib Zehri trolled for reporting Balochistan
clashes.
● July 26: Federal cabinet approves E-Safety Bill 2023 and Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023.
● July 27: Journalists Majid Afsar and Ijaz Khan booked for defamation in District Haveli, AJK.
● July 30: Geo News cameraperson Samiullah Khan injured in a bomb blast in Bajaur.
August
● August 1: Awami Awaz Bureau Chief Ghazi Bajeer barred from reporting at Islamkot Police
Station, Tharparkar.
● August 2: Gojra Press Club’s General Secretary Rana Mashrood Rashid and journalists were
manhandled by the Municipal Committee Chief Officer in Gojra.
● August 3: Police manhandle and detain Daily Jahan-e-Pakistan Bureau Chief of Fateh Jung
District Hassan Abdal Khalid Armani after he posted on Facebook regarding the incompetence of
Attock police officials.
● August 11: Khuzdar Press Club President Muhammad Siddiq Mengal's car fired upon in
Balochistan.
● August 12: PEMRA issues a directive barring coverage of proclaimed offenders, including four
media persons.
● August 21: Dharti TV reporter Abdul Rahman in Sangharh receives life threats after posting
against a member of the PPP.
● August 22: Hangu journalist Fakhr Ul Islam Kakakhel threatened in Kohat.
● August 30: Daily Mashriq’s Bureau Chief Fayyaz Zafar was arrested by the Swat police under
Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).
● August 15: Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) (Amendment) Bill, 2023
signed into law by President Arif Alvi.
 ● August 30: PEMRA immediately bans airing and re-airing the television drama series "Hadsa".
● August 31: Swat police registered a criminal complaint and raided the residence of Daily Azadi’s
Editor Amjad Ali.
September
● September 4: Journalist Arshad Yousufzai receives threats.
● September 4: Journalist Shafique Ahmed Mahar threatened to cover specific news stories.
● September 9: Non-bailable arrest warrants issued for journalist Arshad Sharif's first wife and ARY
News producer Ali Usman.
● September 11: ARY News Sports Anchor Shoaib Jatt faces online harassment.
● September 11: Journalist Imdad Ali Soomro attacked by unidentified assailants.
● September 19: Lahore Press Club President Azam Chaudhry's residence targeted, son Wasif
Chaudhry faced assailants.
● September 19: Daily Awami Awaz correspondent Rustom Indhar assaulted during coverage in
Pano Aqil, Sukkur.
● September 20: ABN Bureau Chief Khalid Jamil arrested by FIA for objectionable tweets.
● September 21: Mobile data restored in Gilgit Baltistan after a 16-day closure.
● September 23: Journalist Miraj Khalid Wazir's house threatened with demolition by tribal leaders
in South Waziristan.
October
● October 29: Journalist Syed Yasir Shah escapes an assassination attempt in Makhad, Attock; his
residence was previously attacked in March.
November
● November 3: Pemra issues directive on election coverage.
● November 8: Journalists Nadeem Khan and Zia Agha attacked by the Chaman district
commissioner's assistant; no police complaint was lodged.
● November 14: SHC suspends PEMRA’s ban on Imran Khan’s addresses.
● November 22: The digital investigative website "The Pakistan Urdu" blocked by PTA. Restored on
December 5 after removing specific news content.
● November 22: SHC restores PEMRA ban on Imran Khan’s addresses.
● November 25: Express News reporter Muhammad Shahid Khan's house fired upon in
Sheikhupura by unknown armed persons.
● November 27: Dawn News Correspondent Humayun Ahmed Khan physically assaulted in Lahore.
● November 29: Daily Aaj Peshawar journalist Mehrab Afridi threatened by Tehreek e Taliban
Pakistan for "supporting the government."
● November 29: Anchorperson Waseem Badami’s twitter account hacked.
December
● December 4: In continuation of directives issued in May 2023, PEMRA asks broadcasters not to
promote "hate mongers".
● December 5: Sahiwal-based journalist Saddia Mazhar's family was harassed by Evacuee Trust
Property Board officials; she plans to seek an apology or take legal action.
 ● December 14: Mehran TV correspondent Meer Khan Shar physically assaulted by staff of a
school in Sanghar.
● December 15: Special court issues order barring coverage of proceedings related to the cipher
case.
● December 17: Daily Muhasib Abbottabad reporter Arshad Mehmood faces harassment from
Halal Food Authority (HFA) authorities. Subsequently, on December 18, 2023, the authority filed
a criminal complaint against the reporter.
● December 17: Social media users experience difficulty using social media platforms in various
cities as well as slow internet services.
● December 20: Lahore High Court calls on PEMRA to “ensure complete freedom of speech and
the non imposition of bans or prohibition orders on the speeches of any political party leader.”
● December 22: Dunya News’s correspondent Rehman Yousuf physically assaulted by Pervaiz Darr
in Sialkot.
● December 25: Dunya News correspondent Mudassar, cameraman and other journalists were
physically assaulted by police officers in Lahore.
● December 26: PEMRA prohibits broadcast, distribution of advertisement of surrogate companies
across all electronic media outlets.
● December 27: Lok Sujag women reporters harassed for covering Baloch women’s protest.
● December 27: Awami Awaz journalist Maqsood Ahmed Jokhio and team beaten when returning
from coverage of the complaint of a Kohistan Village about alleged land grabbing.
● December 30: Power99 Radio's correspondent Fida Ali physically assaulted by dozens of people
in Ghizer, a district of Gilgit Baltistan.

2024
January
● January 5: Khabrain correspondent Allah Rakha and other journalists physically assaulted by
police officials in Afzalpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
● January 7: Internet services disrupted as PTI holds virtual fundraising telethon.
● January 15: FIR registered against former president of Khuzdar Press Club Nadeem Gurgnari,
Masood Ahmed Lehri and 22 others after covering a rally in Balochistan on missing persons.
● January 17: Joint investigation team formed to investigate a smear campaign against judges. FIA
Cyber Crime Wing issued notices to approximately 47 journalists including Asad Ali Toor, Israr Ul
Haq, Siddique Jan, Paras Jahanzaib, Matiullah Jan, Shaheen Sehbai, Sabir Shakir, Cyril Almedia
and Adeel Muhammad Raja.
● January 18: PEMRA advises national electronic media to abide by ECP code of conduct on
elections
● January 18: PEMRA issues directive on tensions between Pakistan and Iran.
● January 20: Supreme Court issues directives on entry into courtrooms.
● January 20: Social media access disrupted coinciding with an online event organized by PTI.
● January 25: PTI alleges that its websites were blocked in Pakistan and demands an answer from
the federal authorities
 ● January 25: PNN reporter Noroz Rana assaulted by supporters of the Pakistan Muslim League
Nawaz party during a rally in Vehari, Punjab.
● January 26: Naya Daur correspondent Moammar Qazzafi and his cameraman Moazzam Bukhari
assaulted by supporters of the Pakistan People’s Party and a candidate of the party, Ch. Adnan
Sarwar Gorsi.
● January 28: Three reporters and a cameraman — ARY News Afzal Pervez, Geo News Altaf
Hussain, Suno TV Ahmed Abbas and PNN News Haji Salman — baton-charged by police during
PTI rally in Karachi.
● January 30: At a political gathering in Lahore, the Talon News team, including reporter Hanooq,
driver Hammad, and cameraperson Farooq, faced violence at the hands of PML-N supporters.
● January 31: GTV anchorperson Gharida Farooqi faces online campaign including leaking of her
cell number and home address.
● January 31: PTA blocks access to Fact Focus website in Pakistan.
● January 31: LHC directs PEMRA to ensure “free and unrestricted” access to media for all political
party candidates.
February
● February 8: Sindh TV reporter Mumtaz Panhwar and Times News reporter Tariq Samo attacked
by town councilor Muhammad Khan Chaang over coverage at polling station in PS-59
Sanarchaang.
● February 8: Mobile connectivity and data services suspended across Pakistan on election day.
● February 8: PEMRA issues show-cause notices to Geo News, ARY News, Dawn News and GNN
News citing violation of the election code of conduct.
● February 10: National disruption of social media platform X, formerly Twitter, reported.
● February 11: ARY News anchorperson Meher Bukhari’s faces barrage of attacks on tweet
regarding PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah Khan.
● February 11: The Reporters Pk Editor Saddia Mazhar receives abusive messages on X after
posting about consultations between the PML-N and PPP.
● February 11: 92 News anchorperson Amir Mateen receives abusive comments following his
tweets critiquing the political landscape and PML-N’s moves.
● February 13: Peshawar High Court bench temporarily bans interviews of suspected criminals in
police’s custody by journalists and social media channels.
● February 16: Rojhan Press Club General Secretary Zamin Hussain threatened by political figure
Zaheer Uddin Mazari due to his reporting on a festival in Rojhan, Punjab.
● February 17: Access to X, formerly Twitter, disrupted in Pakistan; continues over two months
later.
● February 19: Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi engages in a physical altercation
with BBC journalist, Mobeen Azhar during an interview appointment.
● February 22: SHC asks authorities to restore X.
● February 22: Awami Press Club Tharushah member and Jurrat newspaper reporter Aqeel Ahmed
Khanzada attacked by the district councilor Tikka Khanzada and received death threats from the
councilor because of posting general news on Facebook about fireworks use in Tharushah.
 ● February 23: YouTuber Imran Riaz Khan detained in Lahore in connection with a corruption case.
● February 26: Journalist and YouTuber Asad Ali Toor arrested by FIA.
March
● March 8: Asad Ali Toor sent to jail on 14-day judicial remand.
● March 9: Imran Riaz Khan granted bail in Zaman Park violence case.
● March 12: Rawalpindi Police enforces a restriction on media coverage outside Adiala Jail in
Rawalpindi.
● March 16: Asad Ali Toor released from jail on bail.
● March 17: Disruption in access to X completes one month.
● March 18: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar says X was already blocked when they came to
power.
● March 19: Need to review laws to regulate social media, says Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
● March 20: X blocked on directions of interior minister on basis of intelligence agency report: PTA
● March 28: Names of media persons Imran Riaz Khan and Sami Ibrahim placed on the Exit Control
List.
● March 28: PPF and 38 others urge Media Freedom Coalition member states to act on Gaza.
● March 30: AJK government sets up cell to monitor social media platforms.
● March 31: Director General Public Relations (DGPR) Punjab Rubina Afzal says AI will be used to
monitor electronic media.
April
● April 16: Notice issued to two media professionals Raja Khalid and Waqas Kazmi, regarding
their videos concerning AJK Finance Minister Abdul Majid Khan.
● April 17: Disruption in access to X completes second month.
● April 17: SHC tells the government to restore X within a week.
● April 18: Roznama Adalat Akhbar’s editor Sherbaz Muneer and journalist Zafar Mughal receive
threatening letter in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
● April 18: X Global Government Affairs says continuing to work with the Pakistani government to
understand their concerns.
● April 21: Mobile, internet services temporarily suspended in Punjab and Balochistan during by-
elections.
● April 21: Adviser to KP Chief Minister on Social Welfare Mashaal Yousafzai levels baseless
allegations against Geo News reporter Nadia Saboohi; journalist receives vulgar messages online.
● April 24: Cellular services partially suspended in Karachi for Iranian president’s visit.

About Us

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) was established in 1968 to strengthen the country's independent media
by enhancing the professional capacity of media professionals and promoting and defending the
freedom of expression and press freedom.
PPF's ability to connect with diverse stakeholders, including local and national political and media
leaders, unions, editors, and publishers, has enabled the organisation to play a pivotal role in the recent
enactment of the Sindh Protection of Journalists and Other Media Professionals Act 2021 and the
national Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act 2021.

With decades of experience and credibility, PPF has facilitated and implemented internationally
recognised initiatives such as the Editors for Safety (EfS), a network of Pakistan's top editorial decision-
makers from print and electronic media united on the single-point agenda of media safety.

At the international level, PPF has actively participated in international mechanisms such as the
Universal Periodic Review (UPR), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Special Rapporteurs of the
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). In 2022, PPF submitted a
joint-stakeholder report with the endorsement of 20 leading national journalists, unions, press clubs,
and media freedom advocates for Pakistan's review in the fourth cycle of the UPR.

PPF has long-standing relationships with local, national, and international media organisations.

PPF representatives have served extensively on the boards and committees of the Council of Pakistan
Newspaper Editors and the All-Pakistan Newspaper Society. PPF is also a member of the International
Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) and has been elected to the IFEX Council several times and
served on the board of The International Press Institute (IPI). PPF has also served as a founding co-chair
of the Media Freedom Coalition Consultative Network (MFC-CN) for 2020-2021 and was re-elected as a
member of the Steering Committee of the Global Forum for Media Development for the years 2021-
2025.

Address: Press Centre, Shahrah Kamal Ataturk, Karachi, Pakistan