Pakistan’s war on journalism: Abduction and arrest of prominent journalists | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Pakistan’s war on journalism: Abduction and arrest of prominent journalists

Pakistan Press Foundation

Journalists in Pakistan continue to face harassment, arrest, and abduction for reporting on sensitive political issues. Ahead of World Press Freedom Day 2023, it is worth remembering that press freedom is a fundamental pillar of any democratic society, and it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that journalists are able to perform their duties without fear of reprisals.

In the year 2023, several Pakistani journalists have been arrested, including Shahid Aslam, a reporter for BOL news, for using leaked tax data in his reporting. Aslam is known for being a vocal critic of the Pakistani military. The authorities arrested Aslam on January 13, and accused him of being involved in a FactFocus article published on November 19, 2022, which revealed the assets of former Pakistani Army General Qamar Javed Bajwa and his family and detailed how they amassed wealth over the past six years.

Steven Butler, a journalist and the Senior Program Consultant of the Committee to Protect Journalists, tweeted:

International watchdogs have ranked Pakistan as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. In recent years, several prominent journalists and media workers have been targeted and killed, with a significant number of these cases remaining unresolved.

Other Sources: Global Voices Advox

Source: Global Voices


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