Sindh Police arrest four suspects in journalist Imtiaz Mir murder case
October 28, 2025: Sindh Police arrested four suspects linked to a banned outfit in the murder of journalist Imtiaz Mir, who was shot in Karachi in September 2025.
JournalismPakistan.com | Published 7 years ago
Join our WhatsApp channel
Ahead of presidential elections in the Maldives on September 23, allegations have emerged of foreign journalists being denied visas to cover the elections.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has strongly criticized the Maldives’ government over their handling of visas for foreign journalists and urged the government to ensure journalists, local and foreign, can freely cover the elections later this month.
On September 12, the joint opposition issued a statement expressing concerns over reports that several international journalists had had their applications for visas to cover the presidential elections rejected. The joint opposition is an alliance of the Maldivian Democratic Party, the Jumhooree Party, the Adhaalath Party, and a breakaway faction of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives.
On September 13, the Elections Commission refuted the allegation, saying that of the 37 applications received before the August 14 deadline, 11 were rejected due to insufficient documentation.
Strict requirements were set for foreign journalists wanting to cover the presidential elections including, submitting the application prior to August 14 to receive a permit from the election commission. They then had to apply to the immigration department for a business visa, which includes having a Maldivian sponsor, completing a ‘vetting form’ which includes details of employment, travel history and qualifications, as well as a police certificate.
In August 2018, the Immigration Department issued a press release stating that the elections were open to monitor by foreign media but warning foreign journalists that they would be subjected to “punitive measures” should they report on the elections without the appropriate visa.
In February 2018, the Maldives arrested and deported two AFP journalists - India’s Money Sharma and UK’s Atish Ravji Patel for reporting on the state of emergency on a tourist visa.
The joint opposition said: “The visa measures are a deliberate attempt to restrict foreign journalists from travelling to the Maldives for the election, thus reducing independent scrutiny of the vote and President Yameen’s likely attempts to steal it.”
The IFJ said: “Journalists, both local and foreign, should be guaranteed free access to cover the upcoming elections. The reports of journalist visas been rejected is a worrying sign for the media, which adds to the growing concerns over reports of increasing harassment against journalists in the lead up to the elections. The IFJ demands free and secure environment for local and foreign journalists covering the election.” – IFJ media release
October 28, 2025: Sindh Police arrested four suspects linked to a banned outfit in the murder of journalist Imtiaz Mir, who was shot in Karachi in September 2025.
October 26, 2025: Riffat Ara Alvi, the mother of slain Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif, has died, ending her relentless fight for justice following his killing in Kenya in 2022.
October 25, 2025: Veteran journalists and rights activists urge authorities to quash the fabricated drug case against Matiullah Jan, calling it an attack on media freedom.
October 24, 2025: PTV journalist Najam Wali Khan faces social media backlash after calling late SP Adeel Akbar a coward and a fool following his alleged suicide in Islamabad.
October 24, 2025: JournalismPakistan.com celebrates 16 years of independent reporting and media insight. Founded in 2009, the platform has weathered censorship, cyberattacks, and financial pressures to remain a trusted space for all who love and follow the media.
October 23, 2025: PFUJ calls for the immediate appointment of an ITNE judge, warning of a serious case backlog affecting journalists and media workers seeking justice across Pakistan.
October 21, 2025: 92 News apologizes to Maryam Nawaz for falsely claiming she bought a Toshakhana watch at Rs45,000, correcting the misinformation aired in 2022.
October 20, 2025: Fake news falsely claimed Ishrat Fatima’s death, sparking outrage. Colleagues condemn digital misinformation and honor her enduring legacy.
October 29, 2025 In a historic first, a Bishkek court declares Kloop, Temirov Live, and their founders extremist, marking Kyrgyzstan’s sharpest assault on press freedom under President Japarov.
October 29, 2025 Babar Azam's form slump reveals a psychological battle between classical artistry and modern cricket demands. Inside the mind of Pakistan's maestro, struggling to rediscover flow.
October 29, 2025 The New York Times is accepting applications for its 2025 fellowship, a one-year journalism training program for emerging reporters, editors, and visual journalists. Deadline: November 19, 2025.
October 29, 2025 CPJ calls on Turkey to release journalist Merdan Yanardag and return control of TELE1, after his arrest on espionage charges and state media takeover.
October 29, 2025 Alfred Friendly Press Partners invites exiled journalists in the US to apply for its 2026 four-week fellowship offering training, support, and a $2,000 stipend.