• July 9, 2024
• Social Media

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) rejects the government’s response justifying the blanket ban on X, formerly Twitter. Even if the government’s concerns regarding national security and public safety have validity, they do not justify the complete closure of the platform without any clear timeline or process for when such a ban could be lifted.  PPF calls […]

• July 22, 2024
• Freedom of Expression

Journalists from across Pakistan staged a protest on the GT Road near Chan Da Qila in Gujranwala on July 19 after police attempted to stop the Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub Khan, from attending a meeting of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ). The protest was sparked when a heavy police contingent arrived […]

• July 22, 2024
• Freedom of Expression

Irfan Sangi, a cameraman from Time News, and Bashir Mirjat, a reporter from Dharti TV, were attacked and tortured by Karachi Police while covering a protest at Teen Talwar, Karach on July 19. The protest was organized to demand justice for Priya Kumari, a young girl who went missing three years ago on the day of Ashura. The […]

• July 21, 2024
• Social Media

On July 20, WhatsApp users across Pakistan experienced disruptions in sending media files through the app while using mobile data. Despite widespread reports, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and cellular mobile operators (CMOs) claimed to have received no official complaints. Users reported being unable to upload media files, such as photos and videos, while connected to mobile […]

• July 20, 2024
• Information Technology

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) acknowledged on July 18 that a global software update issue originating from CrowdStrike had affected Microsoft consumers in Pakistan. A massive software bug caused widespread disruptions across various sectors, impacting air traffic communications, travel services, and banking operations globally. The technical issue, which affected key systems, resulted in delays and operational challenges, […]

• July 20, 2024
• Information Technology

On July 19, Sindh Governor Muhammad Kamran Khan Tessori announced expanding a free Information Technology training program to Hyderabad, aiming to bolster the country’s economy and reduce its dependence on international financial aid. At the launch event, Governor Tessori highlighted the program’s success in Karachi and outlined plans to extend it to other cities, including Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, […]

• July 20, 2024
• General News

The U.S. State Department has emphasized the urgent need to protect journalists worldwide after the murder of Pakistani reporter Malik Hassan Zaib, affiliated with daily Aaj Urdu. Zaib was fatally shot in a targeted attack in the Akbarpura area of Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on July 14. During a press briefing on July 18, 2024, the State Department’s Principal […]

• July 20, 2024
• Obituaries

Professor Zakaria Sajid, a pioneering figure in journalism education and a founding member of the Mass Communication Department at Karachi University, passed away on July 18 at the age of 96. In 2014, he was awarded the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz, a state-organized honor of Pakistan, for his services to journalism and education. Sajid’s association with the university spanned several decades, beginning in 1963 […]

• July 18, 2024
• General News

A journalist associated with the Urdu daily, Aaj, Hassan Zaib, was shot dead on July 14 by unknown assailants in the Akbarpura area of the Nowshera district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. As investigations continue, the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) stresses that the investigation should conclusively determine the motives behind the incident.   Zaib, 40, was […]

• July 18, 2024
• Social Media

A restriction on access to the social media platform Facebook was reported across multiple service providers starting on July 16 and 17.  The restrictions coincided with the annual observance of Yaum-e-Ashura. Downdetector, which tracks outages by collating status reports from several sources, including users, showed numerous reports of problems accessing Facebook and Instagram, both owned by Meta. […]

• July 18, 2024
• General News

On July 10, prominent anchor Ayesha Jahanzeb was allegedly subjected to torture by her husband, Haris Ali.  Jahanzeb sustained bruises and other injuries and filed a police report against Ali, who was subsequently arrested and remanded for two days. Jahanzeb stated that her husband had been abusive for a few months after their marriage in 2015. She […]

• July 18, 2024
• General News

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has summoned the Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP), the head of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in the ongoing investigation into the murder of journalist Arshad Sharif. The summons were issued during a hearing on July 11. The summons were issued by Chief Justice Aamer […]

• July 18, 2024
• General News

The Press Council of Pakistan (PCP) Chairman, Arshad Khan Jadoon, reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to uphold freedom of expression and media ethics in a meeting with prominent journalist leaders on July 11. During the meeting, the delegation included President of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Afzal Butt, President of the Islamabad High Court Journalists Association […]

• July 16, 2024
• General News

Malik Hassan Zeb, a journalist associated with the Urdu daily Aaj, was shot dead by unknown assailants in the Akbarpura area of the Nowshera district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on July 14. The tragic incident sparked outrage among the journalistic community and demands for swift justice. According to the First Information Report (FIR) lodged by the victim’s brother, Anwar […]

• July 13, 2024
• General News

The Islamabad Police have set up a dedicated social media monitoring cell to identify and curb hate speech during the holy month of Muharram. This initiative aims to maintain peace and prevent the spread of sectarian hatred. The cell will closely monitor social media platforms including WhatsApp to detect and act against individuals promoting hate and violence. […]