PFUJ recalls November 3, 2007 emergency as Pakistan’s darkest day
November 03, 2025: PFUJ recalls November 3, 2007, as Pakistan’s darkest day under Musharraf, urging protection for journalists and the abolition of laws threatening press freedom.
JournalismPakistan.com | Published 6 years ago
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD - A tweet by Dunya News Islamabad Bureau Chief Khawar Ghumman accusing journalists of having double standards over the verdicts of judiciary has turned into a tweeting war, mainly involving Matiullah Jan and Mubashir Zaidi.
It started after Ghumman in his tweet on Tuesday maintained that when the judiciary sent political analyst Dr. Shahid Masood to jail in a graft case, the journalists were happy and praised the judges. However, in the case of PML-N leader Saad Rafiq and the Sharifs, they have started protesting.
Our many media gladiators are seriously worried when NAB nabbed Khawaja brothers but too much happy over the arrest of @Shahidmasooddr. When judges send Dr behind the bars they praised judiciary and in case of Sharifs and Khawajas they start crying and chest thumping.
— Khawar Ghumman (@Ghummans) December 12, 2018
Not to be left behind in any controversy, Mati asked who expressed glee over the arrest of Dr. Shahid Masood. Ghumman bluntly replied: “You and your cabal”.
Before Mati could respond, Mubashir Zaidi of DawnNews jumped in: “Janab Ghumman sahib. Dr sahib is facing probe as former PTV boss not as a journalist.”
So Dr Shahid Masood was arrested on NAB orders or FIA? Kam az kam facts mein dandi to na maara karo. You've been a reporter https://t.co/V23t2FIR0b
— Mubashir Zaidi (@Xadeejournalist) December 12, 2018
Ghumman hit back saying it seems the other accused facing NAB cases have been arrested for “stealing yogurt”.
Zaidi then accused Ghumman of distorting facts. “ReSo Dr Shahid Masood was arrested on NAB orders or FIA? Kam az kam facts mein dandi to na maara karo. You've been a reporter”.
Anchor Dr Shahid Masood, not a journalist by profession, seems to be willingly playing an assigned role (flaunting handcuffs) to demean journalists and belittle journalism, a warning to journalist anchors who dare to speak out. This case is about his govt job and not journalism. https://t.co/340s7Z7LiE
— Matiullah Jan (@Matiullahjan919) December 12, 2018
However in another tweet, Mati maintained that the arrested doctor was not a journalist and was demeaning and belittling journalists by flaunting handcuffs. “Anchor Dr Shahid Masood, not a journalist by profession, seems to be willingly playing an assigned role (flaunting handcuffs) to demean journalists and belittle journalism, a warning to journalist anchors who dare to speak out. This case is about his govt job and not journalism.”
November 03, 2025: PFUJ recalls November 3, 2007, as Pakistan’s darkest day under Musharraf, urging protection for journalists and the abolition of laws threatening press freedom.
November 02, 2025: PFUJ urges Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments to end Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists and ensure their safety and press freedom.
November 02, 2025: Impunity for crimes against journalists deepens worldwide as Pakistan reports a 60 percent surge in attacks and weak enforcement of safety laws.
November 01, 2025: Pakistan Press Foundation reports 137 attacks on journalists in 2025, highlighting rising threats, legal harassment, and censorship on the International Day to End Impunity.
November 01, 2025: A viral Samaa TV clip featuring MNA Sher Afzal Marwat’s crude remarks and Talat Hussain’s laughter raises questions about the declining ethics of Pakistani television.
October 31, 2025: Police foiled a plot to kill DawnNewsTV journalist Tahir Naseer in Rawalpindi after arresting suspects hired for Rs200,000. Naseer says threats followed his reporting.
October 31, 2025: CPJ calls on Pakistan to bring Imtiaz Mir’s killers to justice after the journalist was allegedly murdered by a banned militant group in Karachi.
October 30, 2025: The PFUJ has condemned a fabricated drug case against journalist Matiullah Jan, calling it an attempt to silence him and urging authorities to quash the charges immediately.
November 03, 2025 Global journalist unions condemn the Indonesian agriculture minister’s lawsuit against Tempo, calling it a threat to press freedom and demanding that the case be withdrawn.
November 02, 2025 Independent outlet All About Macau to halt print and online operations amid rising pressure, financial strain, and legal threats, sparking press freedom concerns in the city.
November 01, 2025 Belarus court jails journalist Siarhei Chabotska for extremism and defaming the president, highlighting Minsk’s ongoing crackdown on press freedom.
November 01, 2025 Mexican journalist Miguel Angel Beltran was found murdered in Durango. CPJ urges authorities to ensure justice amid rising violence against journalists in Mexico.
November 01, 2025 UNESCO survey finds one-third of media lawyers cannot effectively defend journalists due to threats, limited resources, and lack of specialization.