Attack on Hamid Mir: Dawn questions government's response

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published April 21, 2014

ISLAMABAD: Dawn Monday expressed fear that the spate of attacks on the media culminating with the one on Geo Television presenter Hamid Mir may only be the beginning.

In its editorial 'Another attack on media' the paper said that across the media there is growing fear that something truly dreadful and on a spectacular scale may be in the offing. It then questioned the government's response. "Verbal condemnations and an emergency meeting convened by the prime minister yesterday at which it was decided to form a judicial commission to investigate the attack. That, as many commissions that have come before it are a testament to, is the government effectively saying there's nothing it can do."

The paper however suggested things that the government could do, among them taking a hard line with the TTP that routinely and openly threatens the media; the TTP could be asked to take back its fatwa against sections of the media and the TTP be asked to renounce violence against the media as part of the ongoing dialogue.

The editorial questioned the government's decision to form a judicial commission to probe the attack on Mir. "A judicial commission whose report may never see the light of day if it ventures too close to uncomfortable facts is all the government has to offer."

The paper pointed out that while many of the accusations that became the focus in the aftermath of the attack on Hamid Mir were "emotional and bereft of hard information, there is a wider point to consider. Instantaneous denials via the ISPR are never followed up with what should be the next step: finding the actual culprits.

"Who killed Saleem Shahzad, for example? All that is publically known is who denied having anything to do with his death. Is it any surprise then that in moments of emotion, the same set of accusations is repeated."

Even a win can't hide Pakistan's structural collapse in cricket

 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.

Journalists stage walkout at post-budget briefing over government's dismissive attitude

 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.

Legal storm brews as Dr. Nauman Niaz serves defamation notice on Shoaib Akhtar

 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.

HRCP urges complete repeal of PECA, citing threats to free speech and civil liberties

 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.

PFUJ condemns murder of journalist Syed Mohammad Shah, urges immediate justice

 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.

State within a state? Police block reinstated Jang employees from resuming duties

 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.

PFUJ slams Jang Group's 'economic massacre' after mass firing of over 80 workers

 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.

Labor rights trampled: Daily Jang defies court, terminates over 80 employees

 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.