PECA Archives - Committee to Protect Journalists

A row of Pakistani national flags line a street in Islamabad on April 18, 2026. Authorities have opened a cybercrime case against Islamabad-based journalist Muhammad Bilal Ghauri over his social media commentary. (Photo: AFP/Farooq Naeem)

Pakistan detains journalist Muhammad Bilal Ghauri over commentary on security appointment

September 9, 2026 6:00 AM EDT

New York, September 9, 2026—Pakistani authorities must immediately release independent journalist Muhammad Bilal Ghauri and drop the cybercrime case filed against him over his commentary about the appointment of a senior counterterrorism official, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. Ghauri, who covers news via his popular YouTube channel, was reported missing by his family…

Pakistani authorities detain journalist Sohrab Barkat again over reporting on Kashmir

June 12, 2026 5:15 AM EDT

New York, June 12, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Pakistani authorities to immediately release journalist Sohrab Barkat who was arrested on June 5 at his home in Islamabad over reports on his YouTube channel about protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. After the arrest and seizure of his phone and car keys, the National Cyber…