Pakistan army spokesperson accuses journalists of anti-state activity on social media
New York, June 5, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned comments from Major General Asif Ghafoor, spokesperson for Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies, who accused journalists of sharing anti-state remarks on social media.
Pakistani authorities disrupt distribution of Dawn newspaper
New York, May 22, 2018–Pakistani authorities should immediately halt any restrictions on the distribution of Dawn newspaper in Pakistan, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Distribution of the newspaper has been disrupted in many parts of the country in recent weeks, Dawn editor Zaffar Abbas told CPJ.
Pakistani journalist appeals 22-year sentence on terrorism, defamation charges
Washington D.C., May 10, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Pakistani authorities to withdraw all charges against journalist Shabbir Siham, who is appealing a sentence of 22 years in prison and a 500,000 rupee (US$4,300) fine by an anti-terrorism court in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region.
Pakistan releases journalist on bail
New York, March 12, 2018 –The Committee to Protect Journalists today welcomes the release on bail of Pakistani journalist Hafiz Husnain Raza and calls on Pakistani authorities to drop all remaining charges against him. Authorities released Raza from prison on March 10 after an Anti-Terrorism Court in Punjab province acquitted the journalist on eight charges…
Pakistan orders closure of US-funded Radio Mashaal office in Islamabad
New York, January 19, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Pakistani authorities to immediately reverse the order issued to close the Islamabad bureau of Radio Mashaal, the Pashto-language service of U.S. Congress-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).
Pakistan arrests journalist whose rental car was rigged with bomb
New York, November 27, 2017– The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Pakistani security forces to immediately release journalist Khalil Afridi, who police are holding without charge in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Authorities detained the correspondent for the Khyber News TV channel on November 24 after an explosive device was found under a car…
Pakistani journalist attacked in Islamabad; three attacks on media groups in Balochistan
New York, October 27, 2017–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Pakistani authorities to swiftly investigate and bring to justice perpetrators of multiple attacks against journalist and news organizations in the country this week. Journalist Ahmed Noorani was badly beaten in Islamabad, and three different attacks were reported in the southwestern Balochistan province amid…
Pakistani journalist faces terrorism and defamation charges for article critical of regional government
New York, October 4, 2017–Authorities in Pakistan should drop charges against journalist Shabbir Siham, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan region summoned Siham for a hearing on October 7 on accusations of fabrication and extorting a regional minister in violation of Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act, according to news…