Media Research Documentation and Training Center
Pakistan Press Foundation

Police Ban Media Coverage Outside Adiala Jail on Imran Khan’s Meeting Day

Pakistan Press Foundation

On March 12, police issued a ban on media coverage outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where former Prime Minister Imran Khan was meeting with party leaders and workers. The ban, announced by Rawalpindi police, restricts journalists from gathering or covering events outside the jail premises. After the conclusion of the meeting between the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf […]


PTV Censorship Sparks Outcry in National Assembly: Omar Ayub Khan Speech Interrupted

Pakistan Press Foundation

In a notable session of the National Assembly on March 3 in Islamabad, the state broadcaster, Pakistan Television (PTV), abruptly halted the live broadcast of a speech by Omar Ayub Khan, a prominent member.  of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-aligned Sunni Ittehad Council.  This occurrence took place right after the newly-elected Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s address, highlighting a dramatic […]


Journalist Asad Toor Sent to Adiala Jail on Judicial Remand

Pakistan Press Foundation

On March 8, a district and sessions court in Islamabad sent journalist and YouTuber Asad Toor to jail on a 14-day judicial remand. This decision came after the court rejected a request by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for an extension of Toor’s physical custody. The FIA had sought additional time for investigations and to recover electronic […]


Imran Riaz Khan Granted Bail in Zaman Park Case

Pakistan Press Foundation

An Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore granted bail to journalist Imran Riaz Khan on March 9, in relation to the Zaman Park attack case. This case has brought him under scrutiny for alleged acts of arson and stone-pelting at police officers during their attempt to execute arrest warrants against the former Prime Minister and the founder of Pakistan […]


X Ban: Businesses Suffer, Journalists Struggle, Internet Slows

Pakistan Press Foundation

Since February 17th, an unannounced ban – either partial or full – on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has severely disrupted Pakistan’s digital landscape. Businesses are losing revenue, journalists face obstacles in their work, and internet users nationwide experience significantly slower speeds. The intermittent blocking of X began following allegations of electoral rigging during the February […]


CCP Warns Social Media Influencers About Deceptive Marketing Practices

Pakistan Press Foundation

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has issued a warning to social media influencers, urging them to avoid deceptive marketing practices. The CCP issued a statement on March 6 , noting that it has observed an increase in deceptive marketing practices on social media platforms and that influencers are often involved in promoting products without disclosing […]


Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Tech Partnership Flourished at LEAP 2024

Pakistan Press Foundation

The burgeoning partnership between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in the realms of Information Technology and Telecom received a significant boost at the LEAP 2024 technology conference, one of the world’s premier tech events. The event served as a dynamic hub where innovators, investors, and industry leaders explored cutting-edge technologies and forged lucrative […]


IHC Issues Notices to Information Ministry, PTA on Social Media Ban Petition

Pakistan Press Foundation

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on March 5 issued notices to the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in response to a petition challenging the ban on social media platform X. The petition was filed on March 4 by Islamabad resident Ehtisham Abbasi, naming the information ministry and PTA as respondents. […]


APNS Elects New Leaders, Calls for Urgent Support Amid Print Media Crisis

Pakistan Press Foundation

The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) concluded its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on March 2nd with the election of new office bearers and a strong call for government intervention to address the dire financial struggles facing the country’s print media industry. Nazafreen Saigol Lakhani was unanimously elected President of the APNS, alongside other key appointments, including Imtinan […]


Sindh High Court Seeks Clarification on Election Day Internet and Social Media Shutdown

Pakistan Press Foundation

On March 5, the Sindh High Court (SHC) called upon the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Federal Ministry of Interior to submit their responses regarding the petitions filed against the suspension of internet and cellular phone services during the general elections on February 8, and the ongoing ban on the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter. […]


Widespread Outage Hits Facebook and Instagram for Hours

Pakistan Press Foundation

A widespread technical issue disrupted the operations of Meta-owned social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp on March 4, causing frustration among users across Pakistan and potentially millions worldwide. According to Downdetector.pk, a real-time internet and social media outage monitoring service, both Facebook and Instagram experienced downtime starting at approximately 8:20 PM PST and gradually recovered […]


Pakistan Senator Withdraws Resolution to Ban Social Media

Pakistan Press Foundation

On March 4, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi withdrew his controversial resolution calling for a sweeping ban on major social media platforms. The move followed widespread criticism from digital rights advocates, journalists, and opposition lawmakers who labeled it a severe attack on freedom of expression. Senator Tangi initially submitted the resolution to the Senate, on March 2, […]


Experts Warn of Economic Impact as Pakistan Suffers Social Media Ban Amid Election Allegations

Pakistan Press Foundation

Access to X, formerly twitter, has remained intermittently blocked since February 17 in Pakistan, following allegations of electoral rigging during the February 8 general elections, leading to concerns among experts regarding economic consequences and the potential spread of disinformation. According to Express Tribune, UK-based Alp Toker, director of NetBlocks said that the disruption could result in millions of […]


Journalist Asad Toor’s Remand Extended in Social Media Smear Campaign Case

Pakistan Press Foundation

A district and sessions court in Islamabad has extended the remand of journalist and YouTuber Asad Toor by three days. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) will retain custody of Toor as they investigate allegations of his involvement in a social media campaign targeting Pakistan’s Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa. The court’s decision came after arguments concluded on […]