• October 11, 2024
• Access to Information

Zong customers in various cities faced significant disruptions to both mobile and data services on October 10 due to the installation of a new Web Management System (WMS). The connectivity issues started around noon, with many users reporting intermittent service and some experiencing a complete blackout. The disruptions affected both individual and corporate customers, sparking complaints across […]

• October 11, 2024
• Freedom of Expression, Front Page

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) strongly condemned the multiple acts of violence, harassment, and detention of journalists while covering political protests by the opposition political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The recurring mistreatment of media professionals during politically charged events highlights an alarming trend where both law enforcement and political party members have disregarded press freedom […]

• October 11, 2024
• Broadcasting

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on October 9 reserved its judgment on petitions filed by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (Dastoor) and court reporters, who challenged directives issued by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) instructing television channels to refrain from airing tickers and headlines about ongoing court proceedings. The journalists’ counsel, Abdul […]

• October 10, 2024
• Broadcasting, Freedom of Expression, Front Page, General News

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) is alarmed by the unacceptable overreach of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), which has issued show-cause notices to television channels for their coverage of the terrorist attack on October 6 near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport. The media must be able to report on critical developments in the country, including […]

• October 10, 2024
• Access to Information

Internet users in Pakistan continue to experience widespread disruptions and slow internet speeds, even as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has reassured the public that these issues will be resolved by the end of October. The PTA attributes these disruptions primarily to issues with undersea cables, but some areas also face deliberate internet shutdowns during […]

• October 9, 2024
• Social Media

Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has refused to comply with the Pakistani government’s requests for a content takedown, citing a need for additional information to justify its actions. On October 8, the Sindh High Court (SHC), presided over by Chief Justice Mohammad Shafi Siddiqui and Justice Jawad Akbar Sarwana, heard petitions challenging the government’s social media […]

• October 9, 2024
• Freedom of Expression

Several journalists, including Geo News reporter Haider Shirazi, Dawn News reporter Tahir Naseer, and ABN News reporter Zahida Rao, were violently assaulted by police while covering a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest in Islamabad. Meanwhile, Faizan Hussain, former Secretary General of the Khyber Union of Journalists, was arrested by police in Peshawar during a separate PTI protest. Despite identifying themselves as journalists, […]

• October 9, 2024
• Freedom of Expression

Investigative journalist Azaz Syed is facing a wave of threats following his critical analysis of the religio-political party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), without explicitly naming it, during a broadcast on his show, Talk Shock, according to The News. The threats, which include online harassment and intimidation, have sparked widespread concern among the journalist community and human […]

• October 8, 2024
• Access to Information

After a prolonged 51-hour blackout, mobile and internet services were restored in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on October 6. This suspension, which had significantly impacted residents and businesses, resulted from heightened government security measures to curb potential unrest during political protests. The shutdown, coinciding with demonstrations led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters, caused widespread communication disruptions, […]

• October 5, 2024
• Social Media

Widespread internet and mobile service disruptions hit major Pakistani cities on October 4, leaving millions of users struggling to access popular apps like WhatsApp and Instagram. The outages coincided with protests organized by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Islamabad, raising concerns that the disruptions were linked to the political unrest. According to Downdetector, a service that […]

• October 5, 2024
• Social Media

On October 3, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) alerted investors about the increase in fraudulent investment schemes promoted through social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp. These schemes often involve unauthorized groups and individuals falsely claiming to be registered professionals or affiliated with legitimate companies. They use various tactics, including AI technology and impersonation of regulatory bodies, […]

• October 5, 2024
• General News

On October 3, the Environment Journalists Forum held its first elections, electing its inaugural executive body. Over twenty journalists from various media platforms, including print, electronic, and digital, participated in the election at Riphah International University. The Forum also ensured inclusivity with four members casting votes via Zoom. The forum unanimously elected Ali Jabir from Associated Press of […]

• October 2, 2024
• Social Media

In a briefing on October 1, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman, Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman, clarified the key players behind internet shutdowns and the temporary bans on social media platforms, notably X (formerly known as Twitter). He said that the PTA does not make decisions to impose such restrictions but is driven by […]

• October 1, 2024
• Social Media

On September 27, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that the government’s ban on social media platform X (Twitter) was not meant to curtail freedom of expression but to address security threats posed by separatist and terrorist groups, notably the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). These groups were allegedly using X to broadcast live terrorist activities and promote anti-state […]