April | 2024 | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Monthly Archives: April 2024

Justice Sattar Dismisses Recusal Pleas, Fines FIA, PTA, Pemra Rs 1.5m Each; Summons Intelligence Bureau Director General

Pakistan Press Foundation

On April 29, Justice Babar Sattar of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) dismissed pleas filed by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) seeking his recusal from the audio leaks case. The judge imposed a fine of Rs 500,000 on each of the petitioners for filing frivolous applications.  […]


Sindh Information Department to Prioritize Media Workers’ and Organizations’ Issues

Pakistan Press Foundation

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon announced plans to address challenges faced by journalists and media organizations in the province. A press release issued on April 27 detailed the outcomes of a meeting of the Sindh Information Department, chaired by the information minister.Memon outlined the Sindh government’s commitment to improve the situation for journalists and media organizations. […]


Authorities Seek Justice Sattar Recusal in High-Profile Audio Leak Case

Pakistan Press Foundation

On April 27,  four key state institutions jointly filed a petition urging the Islamabad High Court (IHC) regarding the recusal of Justice Babar Sattar from overseeing a case involving the alleged surveillance of private individuals’ telephonic conversations. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and […]


Islamabad High Court issues statement on ‘malicious’ social media campaign against Justice Sattar 

Pakistan Press Foundation

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has stepped forward to address a “false, malicious and contemptuous” social media campaign targeting Justice Babar Sattar, denouncing it as false and malicious. In a statement issued on April 28, the IHC categorically stated that Justice Sattar has exclusively held Pakistani nationality throughout his life, countering rumors suggesting otherwise. The statement further […]


Journalists, Activists Discuss Censorship and Disinformation at Asma Jahangir Conference

Pakistan Press Foundation

The fifth Asma Jahangir Conference, hosted by AGHS Legal Aid Cell in collaboration with the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan and the Pakistan Bar Council, was organized in Lahore on April 27 -28. Thousands of participants, including lawyers, judges, journalists, rights activists, members of civil society, and students, gathered to honor the legacy of the late […]


CM and Adviser Mourn Death of APP’s Chitral Correspondent Gul Hammad Farooqi

Pakistan Press Foundation

Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Khan Gandapur expressed grief over the demise of the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Chitral correspondent Gul Hamad Farooqi. In a condolence message, the chief minister extended sympathies and condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul. Adviser to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information, […]


PTCL Dismisses Internet Disruption Rumors Amid Submarine Cable Cut

Pakistan Press Foundation

In recent days, the stability of Pakistan’s internet infrastructure has come under increased scrutiny following a series of disruptions and a submarine cable cut. The Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) on April 27 denied any disruption in its internet traffic after reports emerged that the underwater fiber-optic cable, South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 5 (SEA-ME-WE […]


Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Chairs Steering Committee Meeting on FBR Digitalization

Pakistan Press Foundation

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, chaired the meeting of the Steering Committee on the Digitalization of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on April 26. The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including Chairman FBR, Malik Amjed Zubair Tiwana, CEO Karandaaz Waqasul Hasan, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Country Lead Syed Ali Mahmood, […]


PHC Seeks Explanation for Delayed Appointments at KP Information Commission

Pakistan Press Foundation

On April 24, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) convened for a hearing to examine a petition addressing the delayed appointment of two information commissioners in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Commission (KPIC). The petition, filed by Mukhtar Ahmad Ali, Executive Director of the Center for Peace & Development Initiatives (CPDI), highlighted the significant impact of these vacant positions […]


Sindh Government Pledges Increased Support for Journalists Development

Pakistan Press Foundation

Sindh Minister for Local Government, Housing, Town Planning, and Public Health Engineering, Saeed Ghani, met with the Karachi Press Club’s (KPC) governing body on April 24 to discuss issues related to press freedom. The meeting highlighted PPP’s historical support for journalists and its commitment to providing them with necessary facilities such as grants and residential […]


Government Forms Digital Pakistan Committee, Appoints Tania Aidrus as Convener

Pakistan Press Foundation

On April 24, the federal government re-appointed Tania Aidrus, a former Google executive, to spearhead Pakistan’s digital transformation efforts. Aidrus will serve as the convener of the newly formed Digital Pakistan Committee, working under the chairmanship of Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja. The move, approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, marks a return […]


Federal Information Minister Reiterates Government Support for Media Freedom, Addresses Journalists’ Concerns

Pakistan Press Foundation

During a meeting with the Karachi Press Club (KPC) delegation on April 24 in Governor House Sindh, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar emphasized the government’s unwavering support for freedom of the press in Pakistan. He acknowledged the media’s crucial role as the fourth pillar of democracy. Tarar highlighted the government’s proactive efforts to clear outstanding dues […]


Foreign Minister Defends Social Media Ban Amid Court Challenge

Pakistan Press Foundation

On April 20, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar defended the government’s decision to block access to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating that it was necessary for national security and public order. His remarks came amid increasing criticism and a court order questioning the legality of the ban. Dar drew comparisons between Pakistan’s ban and other countries’ actions, suggesting […]


Actor Faisal Quraishi Apologizes After Lawyers’ Association Condemns Drama Portrayal

Pakistan Press Foundation

Following a condemnation from the Karachi Bar Association (KBC), renowned Pakistani actor Faisal Quraishi issued a public apology on April 21 via his Instagram account for his portrayal of lawyers in the drama serial “Zulm”, currently airing on Hum TV. The Karachi Bar Association, in a statement issued on April 20, criticized the drama’s depiction of the legal fraternity and […]