Attack on Dawn journalist's home in Umerkot

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 5 years ago

ISLAMABAD—Freedom Network has expressed serious concern over an attack on Dawn correspondent A.B. Arisar's home in Umerkot in Sindh.

In an alert on Twitter, the network condemned the incident and termed the increase in attacks on journalists in Sindh as alarming.

FN, in its Pakistan Press Freedom Report 2019-20 launched on April 30 had declared Sindh the second most unsafe place for media after Islamabad.

Dawn, while quoting Arisar said that police were informed but they returned axes and hammers used in the attack to the culprits and let them sneak away, adding that the attackers were disciples of a pir who wanted to occupy his house.

Illustration: http://shiitenews.org

Dive Deeper

Why was this DawnNews TV journalist targeted in a foiled murder plot?

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.

Police storm National Press Club, attack journalists and smash equipment

October 02, 2025: Islamabad Police stormed the National Press Club, attacking journalists covering a protest. PFUJ condemns police brutality and vows action to protect press freedom.

Maleeha Hashmey alleges state harassment, travel ban, and SIM blocking

September 26, 2025: Broadcast journalist Maleeha Hashmey alleges harassment in Pakistan, citing travel ban, frozen bank accounts, and SIM blocking amid growing concerns over press freedom.

Journalist Imdad Soomro faces pressure after exposing corruption in Sindh Public Service Commission

September 25, 2025: Journalist Imdad Soomro says he faces pressure after exposing corruption in the Sindh Public Service Commission, as the SHC halts recruitment over a fresh scandal.

Freezing Meher Bokhari’s account: What Pakistan’s clampdown on journalists really aims to achieve

September 18, 2025: Meher Bokhari’s frozen account exposes Pakistan’s deepening media clampdown. Why are journalists facing bans, no-fly lists, and financial blockades?

Journalist Shahbaz Rana indicted despite factual report, unions say

September 13, 2025: Journalist unions in Islamabad protest the trial of senior reporter Shahbaz Rana, calling it biased and a threat to press freedom in Pakistan.

Samina Pasha says bank account frozen after Cyber Crime Agency complaint

September 13, 2025: Pakistani journalist Samina Pasha says her bank account was frozen by NCCIA, calling it part of efforts to silence critical media voices.

Bogus case registered in ongoing harassment of journalist Furqan Rao

September 03, 2025: IFJ and PFUJ condemn APP’s case against journalist Furqan Rao, calling it a political vendetta. Unions demand withdrawal of the FIR and an end to harassment.

Newsroom

Journalism is lost in Balochistan, Freedom Network study finds

December 28, 2025 A new Freedom Network report finds journalism in Balochistan under severe pressure, citing censorship, violence, economic decline, and digital isolation across Pakistan’s largest province.

Journalists union says 76 reporters killed or wounded by Israeli forces

December 28, 2025 Palestinian Journalists Union says Israeli forces are silencing reporters through killings and injuries, raising urgent concerns over press freedom and safety in conflict zones.

Report says 706 journalists’ family members killed in Gaza

December 28, 2025 A Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate report warns that journalists’ relatives are being killed in strikes, raising grave press freedom, ethical, and legal concerns under international law.

CBS News leadership defends pulling 60 Minutes prison segment

December 27, 2025 CBS News leadership defended pulling a 60 Minutes segment on an El Salvador prison, citing fairness and trust, sparking criticism over editorial independence and newsroom pressure.

Independent media outlets expand influence as trust in news erodes

December 27, 2025 Industry research highlights the growing influence of independent and niche publishers as mainstream journalism faces declining trust, revenue pressures, and fragmented audiences worldwide.