• 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
• 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 […]

• February 27, 2024
• Freedom of Expression

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 […]

• February 27, 2024
• Freedom of Expression

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 […]

• February 27, 2024
• Freedom of Expression, Social Media

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 […]

• February 24, 2024
• Freedom of Expression, Social Media

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 […]

• February 22, 2024
• Freedom of Expression, Social Media

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 […]

• February 19, 2024
• Freedom of Expression, Front Page

Once again, access to the internet in Pakistan was restricted with the disruption in access to X, formerly Twitter, cutting off citizens’ right to freely access information. The disruption in access began on February 17 and has intermittently continued to be experienced for a third day on February 19. The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA), which […]

• February 16, 2024
• Freedom of Expression, Front Page

A police official in Rawalpindi has been suspended pending an inquiry following allegations of assaulting journalists covering a protest, as reported by Dawn on February 14, 2024. The suspension came after a police official was charged for reportedly torturing journalists during a protest held by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in front of the Divisional Election Commission […]

• February 15, 2024
• Freedom of Expression, Front Page

A video capturing Federal Caretaker Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Murtaza Solangi, in a physical altercation with BBC journalist Mobeen Azhar during an interview has sparked controversy. Azhar’s probing questions on press freedom in Pakistan led to the tense exchange, raising concerns about journalistic integrity and government transparency. A video circulating online has ignited widespread […]

• February 14, 2024
• Freedom of Expression, Front Page

The Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) strongly denounces the targeted smear campaign on social media against journalists in the aftermath of their reporting on Pakistan’s recent general elections. This campaign is characterized by a deluge of abusive, offensive, and vulgar comments. The PPF is alarmed by the intensification of cyberbullying tactics, particularly against female journalists, in […]

• February 10, 2024
• Freedom of Expression

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) takes strong exception to the closure of mobile connectivity and data services on election day across Pakistan that have cast doubts on the credibility of the entire election and raise questions about the government’s motives for leaving citizens in the dark.  Authorities stated that cell phone services had been suspended due […]

• February 6, 2024
• Freedom of Expression, Front Page

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) condemns multiple incidents targeting journalists and media professionals in the lead-up to the general elections on February 8. Journalists are an essential part of the democratic electoral process and must be able to report on key developments regarding the elections without facing consequences.  PPF draws attention to the Election Commission of […]