• March 5, 2024
• Freedom of Expression

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. […]

• March 5, 2024
• Print Media

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 […]

• March 5, 2024
• Social Media

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. […]

• March 5, 2024
• Social Media

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 […]

• March 4, 2024
• Freedom of Expression, Social Media

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, […]

• March 4, 2024
• Social Media

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 […]

• March 3, 2024
• Freedom of Expression

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 […]

• March 2, 2024
• Freedom of Expression

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 […]

• March 1, 2024
• Radio

Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Murtaza Solangi, has inaugurated  the media training programme Pakistan Broadcasting Academy (PBA), reinstating its operations on February 28 in Islamabad. Speaking at the reactivation ceremony held at the PBA , Solangi lauded Director General Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation, Saeed Ahmed Sheikh, for spearheading the revival efforts. According to The Nation, highlighting the […]

• March 1, 2024
• Freedom of Expression

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 […]