On May 14, Islamabad High Court (IHC) temporarily halted the government’s plan to block SIM cards of individuals who have not filed their income tax returns, citing potential conflicts with constitutional rights. IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq issued a stay order until May 27 while seeking a response from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) […]
In the past few weeks, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz-led government at the helm of the federal government and in the Punjab province has demonstrated its lack of regard for the need to protect free expression online, presenting and approving different bills that increase the regulation of free speech online. Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) is concerned […]
On May 13, the Supreme Court of Pakistan expressed dissatisfaction with the police investigation into the abduction and harassment cases of three journalists, Matiullah Jan, Asad Toor, and Absar Alam. The court ordered the Islamabad police to appoint “competent officers” to conduct a thorough re-investigation. A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa […]
Protests over high wheat and electricity prices have caused significant disruption in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) since May 11, leading to the suspension of internet and cellular services in various regions. Amid the turmoil, ARY News journalist Sardar Ayaz was injured while covering the events. Organized by the Awami Joint Action Committee (JAC), the demonstrations demanded lower electricity […]
In a Supreme Court session on May 13, revelations emerged that three out of six litigants, initially part of a 2022 petition aiming to regulate media freedom, declared they never consented to the case. The disclosure came during a hearing by a three-judge bench led by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa. The […]
On May 12, experts at a seminar titled “Global Challenges of Cybercrime” held at the Sindh University’s Pakistan Study Centre underscored the pressing need for unified international laws to combat the escalating threat of cybercrimes in the digital age. Speakers, including Sindh University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mohammad Siddique Kalhoro and former FIA Director General […]
On May 12, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) paid tribute to the journalists who resisted censorship under General Ziaul Haq’s dictatorship in 1978. PFUJ President Afzal Butt and Secretary General Arshad Ansari lauded these journalists as heroes and role models for today’s media professionals. PFUJ leaders specifically acknowledged Iqbal Jaffery, Nasir Zaidi, Khawar Naeem […]
In Islamabad, the Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, emphasized the necessity of global initiatives to combat the spread of fake news and the misuse of social media. This statement was made during a discussion with a visiting delegation of Bangladeshi journalists on May 10. “The Government of Pakistan recognizes the importance of freedom […]
On May 8, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Secretary General Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri submitted a resolution to the National Assembly Secretariat condemning the killing of Khuzdar Press Club President Maulana Siddique Mengal. Siddique Mengal, who also served as the provincial Vice Ameer of JUI-F, lost his life in an explosive attack while on his way to Friday […]
On May 8, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, in a meeting with the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), assured the body that the government is committed to resolving the long-standing issues faced by the newspaper industry. During the meeting, the APNS delegation led by APNS President Naz Afreen Sehgal Lakhani apprised the minister of […]
On May 9, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a proposal to amend the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 to regulate social media. The proposed PECA Amendment Bill 2024 advocates for the establishment of a Digital Rights Protection Authority. Once approved by the cabinet, the bill is slated for presentation in Parliament. The recommendation for the […]
On May 3, journalists’ associations in Pakistan expressed concerns over the country’s deteriorating state of media freedom. The Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) and the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) issued statements shedding light on the myriad challenges faced by journalists in Pakistan. AEMEND condemned the increase in attacks on journalists, with many losing […]
Speaking at the Sanghar Press Club on May 5, Member of the National Assembly (MNA) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Central Information Secretary Shazia Mari reaffirmed her party’s commitment to the fundamental principles of freedom of expression. Mari, highlighting the PPP’s historical role in safeguarding democracy, reiterated the party’s enduring dedication to the welfare of […]
On May 3, the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) announced its refusal to comply with the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) directive to block the mobile phone SIMs of over half a million individuals who failed to file their tax returns in 2023. Earlier in the week, on April 30, the FBR directed the PTA and telecom companies to block […]
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