Freedom of Expression | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Freedom of Expression

PPF welcomes Asad Ali Toor’s release on bail; urges authorities to safeguard the rights of journalists instead of harassing them

Pakistan Press Foundation

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) welcomes journalist and YouTuber Asad Ali Toor’s release from jail after his bail was approved on March 16. We urge authorities to safeguard the rights of journalists protected under the law instead of harassing them through the issuance of notices, arrests, and investigations. Toor’s arrest on the grounds of an investigation […]


Journalist Misbehavior Case: PTI’s Faisal Javed Khan Indicted

Pakistan Press Foundation

On March 13, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leader Faisal Javed Khan was indicted by the District and Sessions Court in Islamabad in a case of threatening a journalist. The indictment follows a complaint filed against Javed Khan at the Bani Gala police station on August 10, 2022.  During a press conference on August 9, 2022, held […]


Rights Activists and Civil Society Demand Immediate Resumption of X

Pakistan Press Foundation

Human rights activists and civil society organizations have demanded the immediate restoration of X, formerly known as Twitter, in a joint statement. They expressed grave concerns about the escalating occurrences of internet shutdowns and the blocking of social media platforms. The joint statement issued on March 13 highlights the urgent need for the restoration of access to X, emphasizing […]


PPF welcomes observations by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa of no tolerance for press intimidation; remain vary of observations questioning the intentions of the media, which open the door for doubt and action against journalists

Pakistan Press Foundation

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) welcomes observations by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa that “intimidation of the press would not be tolerated at any costs.” However, PPF is also vary of observations made by the top judge regarding the process of verification that the media should be implementing and the limits of free expression […]


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 […]


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. […]


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, […]


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 […]


Imran Riaz Khan Remanded to Police Custody In Connection with Zaman Park Clash Case

Pakistan Press Foundation

An Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore ordered a five-day physical custody remand for anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan on March 1, following his arrest related to incidents of violence outside Zaman Park, Lahore, amidst a turbulent political backdrop and heightened security measures in the area on May 9, 2023. Presented before the court by Racecourse police, Riaz Khan, who was already […]


Islamabad High Court Orders Medical Examination of Journalist Asad Ali Toor

Pakistan Press Foundation

On March 1, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) ordered a medical examination for Asad Ali Toor, a journalist currently in custody of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). According to The Nation, Judicial Magistrate Muhammad Shabbir presided over the hearing regarding the request for Toor’s medical evaluation. The move came after Imaan Zainab Mazari, representing Toor, argued […]


PPF calls for the immediate release of Asad Ali Toor; repeat issuance of summons, hours-long detention, and arrest is a violation of Constitutional right to free expression

Pakistan Press Foundation

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) calls for the immediate release of journalist and YouTuber Asad Ali Toor, who was arrested on February 26 by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) allegedly in connection with an “explicit and malicious campaign against Honorable Judges of [the] Supreme Court of Pakistan.” The repeat issuance of summons to a journalist, hours-long […]