Haroon Rashid says Cyril Almeida 'an irresponsible and careless journalist'

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published March 17, 2017

ISLAMABAD:  Columnist Haroon Rashid Friday termed Cyril Almeida an irresponsible and careless journalist who is oblivious to the requirements of national security. 

Overall in his column in Dunya newspaper – Khuda Kay Liyaee Pakistan ko Maaf Kar Do – Haroon discusses the alleged irresponsible attitude of politicians while managing issues of national security.

Almeida’s October 6, 2016, story - Act against militants or face international isolation, civilians tell military – in Dawn led to tensions in civilian-military relations.

He was briefly put on the ECL before being taken off.  The government formed a commission under a retired judge to probe the story. The report of the commission is still being awaited.

Since the publication of the story, Haroon has been criticizing Almeida in his columns.

According to the columnist, probe into Dawn Leaks is complete, and that the government wants to push the “filth” under the carpet. He wrote that if the writer (Cyril Almeida) is punished, the news industry would be angry. “Knowledgeable people know that two or three persons close to the Prime Minister have been found guilty (in Dawn Leaks probe),” according to Haroon.

He wrote there are careless journalists in other countries also and “Cyril Almeida is one of them.” He maintained that English newspapers not only publish articles against Pakistan’s security matters, they also take pride in it.

The columnist then turned his guns on journalists who have established NGOs.

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.