• November 28, 2024
• Freedom of Expression, Media Safety

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) strongly condemns the brazen manner in which senior journalist Matiullah Jan was initially said to be picked up and later found charged on bizarre terrorism and narcotics charges. We call for his immediate release. PPF emphasizes the need for a transparent and conclusive investigation particularly in light of recent coverage by […]

• November 27, 2024
• Freedom of Expression, Front Page, General News, Media and Society, Media Safety

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) is alarmed by the multiple incidents of violence targeted against journalists and media outlets in Islamabad during protests by the opposition political party, the Pakistan Tehreek i Insaf (PTI). It is unacceptable that journalists and the media, who are tasked with covering key events, become the target of violence during periods […]

• December 10, 2024
• Social Media

On December 9, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned an online trolling campaign targeting senior journalists Syed Talat Hussain, Hassan Ayub, Muneeb Farooq, and Muzamil Hussain Shah, urging the government to take immediate steps to ensure their safety. The PFUJ said the campaign was allegedly carried out through anonymous social media accounts linked to followers […]

• December 10, 2024
• Access to Information, Media and Governance, Social Media

Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja informed the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunication on December 5 that amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA) were under review to “address concerns regarding misinformation.” The prime minister’s adviser, Barrister Aqeel Malik, had earlier confirmed amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act […]

• December 10, 2024
• General News

On the evening of December 3, two armed neighbors allegedly trespassed into the Lahore residence of Syed Muzammil Shah, an anchorperson for Express News and YouTuber with 444,000 subscribers on his channel “Syed Muzammil Official.” In a statement shared on X, Shah said that the two armed men from a neighbouring house “who seem to have taken an offence over my recent political […]

• December 9, 2024
• Social Media

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) cybercrime wing has charged 11 individuals, including journalists and vloggers, with allegedly defaming actress and stage performer Nargis, whose real name is Ghazala Idrees, through social media posts. The FIA said Nargis provided evidence during the inquiry that corroborated her allegations. The actress called for “strict action against the culprits.” The accused […]

• December 9, 2024
• Broadcasting

The Pakistan Advertising Association (PAA) has called on the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to review its decision to suspend Television Audience Measurement (TAM) services provided by Medialogic for 30 days. The appeal was made through an official letter from PAA Chairman Ahmed Kapadia to the PEMRA Chairman. The PAA stressed that TAM data is essential […]

• December 9, 2024
• General News

Authorities have filed cases against seven individuals in Karachi for allegedly spreading anti-state propaganda and false narratives on social media platforms, including WhatsApp and X (formerly Twitter).  The accused were identified as Muhammad Sohail, Muhammad Junaid, Sheikh Muhammad Ehsan, Tariq Jameel, Syed Rizwan, Muhammad Ahmed, and Babar Azeem. Efforts to apprehend the suspects are underway. This action follows a similar […]

• December 9, 2024
• Broadcasting

On December 6, a delegation of the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) met with Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial and Member Inland Revenue Policy Dr. Najeeb Memon to discuss taxation changes affecting the broadcasting industry. The delegation, which included Ejazul Haq, Kazim Khan, Mohsin Bilal Khan, Muhammad Ali Butt, and Ejaz Bhutta, raised concerns […]

• December 9, 2024
• Access to Information

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced that those who do not have static IP addresses can register Virtual Private Network (VPN) through mobile numbers, a move aimed at facilitating freelancers and strengthening the IT sector. In a statement released on December 7, PTA reported that over 31,000 VPNs have already been registered under its updated system. The authority urged […]

• December 6, 2024
• Access to Information

The prime minister’s adviser Barrister Aqeel Malik confirmed amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, and said they were aimed at “eliminating misinformation and negative propaganda.” The draft Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2024, includes the establishment of a Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA) with wide-ranging powers to block or remove online material deemed harmful. The […]

• December 6, 2024
• Obituaries

Mohammad Arifullah Sarhadi, a veteran journalist and founder of the local newspaper Daily Islah, passed away on December 2 after a prolonged illness. He was 80 years old. Arifullah’s funeral prayers were held on December 3 in Gul Dher, Tordher, and he was later laid to rest in his ancestral graveyard. Speaking about his father, Gul Bacha, one […]

• December 6, 2024
• Freedom of Expression

Aijaz Memon, a retired secretary, was appointed the new Chairperson of the Sindh Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners (SCPJMP). The decision was made on December 4, during a meeting of the Sindh Cabinet chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. The appointment follows the resignation of Justice (retd) Nazar Akbar from the chairperson role […]

• December 6, 2024
• Social Media

The government has decided to implement “comprehensive measures” to curb the activities of banned terrorist organizations on social media, including blocking their accounts and SIM cards. These decisions were made during a meeting of the National Action Plan (NAP) coordination committee on December 3, chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. According to a statement issued after the meeting, the […]

• December 3, 2024
• Access to Information

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman, Major General (retired) Hafeezur Rehman, confirmed on November 30 that the government has approved extending the deadline for registering Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). However, no new deadline for registration has been announced. The PTA had earlier introduced an online portal aimed at simplifying the registration process. The Interior Ministry had issued a VPN registration directive, emphasizing the […]

• December 3, 2024
• General News

Journalist Shakir Mehmood Awan, who was allegedly abducted from his home on the night of November 27, returned safely in the early hours of December 1. Awan’s mother had filed a petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on November 28, seeking the immediate recovery of her son. Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh presided over the hearing on November 29 and […]