JournalismPakistan.com | Published November 03, 2018
Join our WhatsApp channelISLAMABAD - Novelist Mohammad Hanif woke up to a blank space in The New York Times distributed in Pakistan along with The Express Tribune.
Space left blank carried his piece titled ‘Blasphemy, Pakistan’s new religion’.
His tweet said: “Wake up to the blank space. Apparently, NYT & its Pakistani partners think it's completely fine to have a blank colum on the front page. Kaun log o tusi? As you might notice the piece is only mildly critical of Maulana Khadim types.”
Under the empty space, the readers were informed that “This article was removed for print by our publishing alliance in Pakistan. The New York Times and its editorial staff had no role in its removal. To read this article online visit NYtimes.com.
Hanif is the author of ‘A Case of Exploding Mangoes’, a novel on the rule and death of former military ruler Ziaul Haq in a plane crash in 1988.
In another tweet, the novelist expressed his reservations about leaving the blank space. “NYT in Pakistan left a blank space where this essay was supposed to appear. This is not the first time it's happened. I don't know why we write for a paper which is complicit in some very crude censorship. I wonder if my American colleagues can stand up to it.”
On a number of occasions in the past, the NYT left spaces blank on the front page.
Commenting on the article, NYT columnist Nicholas Kristof said: “This is an outstanding essay about how Pakistan has been perverted by a distorted extremist brand of Islam that relies on blasphemy laws to bully people (but actually has some roots in the Hindu caste system). The question is whether Pakistan's leaders will stand up to it.”
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.
May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.
May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.