Freedom of Expression | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Pakistan Press Foundation

Freedom of Expression

Police Ban Media Coverage Outside Adiala Jail on Imran Khan’s Meeting Day

Pakistan Press Foundation

On March 12, police issued a ban on media coverage outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where former Prime Minister Imran Khan was meeting with party leaders and workers. The ban, announced by Rawalpindi police, restricts journalists from gathering or covering events outside the jail premises. After the conclusion of the meeting between the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf […]


PTV Censorship Sparks Outcry in National Assembly: Omar Ayub Khan Speech Interrupted

Pakistan Press Foundation

In a notable session of the National Assembly on March 3 in Islamabad, the state broadcaster, Pakistan Television (PTV), abruptly halted the live broadcast of a speech by Omar Ayub Khan, a prominent member.  of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-aligned Sunni Ittehad Council.  This occurrence took place right after the newly-elected Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s address, highlighting a dramatic […]


Journalist Asad Toor Sent to Adiala Jail on Judicial Remand

Pakistan Press Foundation

On March 8, a district and sessions court in Islamabad sent journalist and YouTuber Asad Toor to jail on a 14-day judicial remand. This decision came after the court rejected a request by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for an extension of Toor’s physical custody. The FIA had sought additional time for investigations and to recover electronic […]


Imran Riaz Khan Granted Bail in Zaman Park Case

Pakistan Press Foundation

An Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore granted bail to journalist Imran Riaz Khan on March 9, in relation to the Zaman Park attack case. This case has brought him under scrutiny for alleged acts of arson and stone-pelting at police officers during their attempt to execute arrest warrants against the former Prime Minister and the founder of Pakistan […]


IHC Issues Notices to Information Ministry, PTA on Social Media Ban Petition

Pakistan Press Foundation

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. […]


Pakistan Senator Withdraws Resolution to Ban Social Media

Pakistan Press Foundation

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, […]


Journalist Asad Toor’s Remand Extended in Social Media Smear Campaign Case

Pakistan Press Foundation

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 […]


Imran Riaz Khan Remanded to Police Custody In Connection with Zaman Park Clash Case

Pakistan Press Foundation

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 […]


Islamabad High Court Orders Medical Examination of Journalist Asad Ali Toor

Pakistan Press Foundation

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 […]


PPF calls for the immediate release of Asad Ali Toor; repeat issuance of summons, hours-long detention, and arrest is a violation of Constitutional right to free expression

Pakistan Press Foundation

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) calls for the immediate release of journalist and YouTuber Asad Ali Toor, who was arrested on February 26 by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) allegedly in connection with an “explicit and malicious campaign against Honorable Judges of [the] Supreme Court of Pakistan.” The repeat issuance of summons to a journalist, hours-long […]


Solangi regrets claims made by BBC journalist about interview; termed them false and baseless

Pakistan Press Foundation

Caretaker Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Murtaza Solangi, expressed regret on February 20 over what he termed “false and baseless” allegations made by a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) journalist, Mobeen Azhar, regarding an interview appointment. According to Associate Press of Pakistan (APP), Solangi said that he is no stranger to giving an interview to the media […]


X is still down in Pakistan, VPN also restricted

Pakistan Press Foundation

X, formerly known as Twitter, continues to be disrupted in Pakistan for the tenth consecutive day. The outage coincides with restrictions imposed on virtual private networks (VPNs), further limiting access to social media platforms in the country. The disruption has sparked concerns over freedom of expression and access to information, with users unable to utilize […]


Sindh High Court Seeks Explanation for Election Day Internet Suspension

Pakistan Press Foundation

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has demanded explanations from the information technology and communication,  interior ministries and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) regarding the suspension of internet services on election day on February 08 in various parts of the country during the court hearing on February 21. The court expressed dissatisfaction with the decision to […]


Twitter Remains Unreachable for Fourth Consecutive Day in Pakistan

Pakistan Press Foundation

Twitter continues to remain inaccessible in Pakistan for the fourth consecutive day, prompting concerns over freedom of expression and communication rights in the country. The disruption of the popular social media platform, which began on February 17, has caused frustration among users and drawn international attention, with the United States urging Pakistan to ensure unrestricted […]