JournalismPakistan.com | Published May 06, 2014
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD: A statement of solidarity issued by prominent media personalities pleading restraint and forging unity against threats to and attacks upon journalists in Pakistan is continuing to receive endorsements.
The number of journalists, columnists and others has increased from 64 to 72. Notable among the new endorsements are Iftikhar Ahmad (pictured), Director Special Projects, Geo Investigates and Election Cell, Geo News, and Hasan Zaidi, filmmaker and media analyst.
Iftikhar, known for his abrasive style, has been in the limelight for challenging Imran Khan, chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, over allegations against the channel.
In a column for the International New York Times, Zaidi opposed the muzzling of Pakistani media. "Did Geo make poor editorial decisions? Perhaps. Could it be sued for defamation for airing specific accusations, even by distressed family members, without proof? Possibly. Is the military’s reaction a vast overkill? Most definitely," Zaidi summed up the controversy.
The other endorsements come from Adeel Pathan, Pakistan Coalition for Ethical Journalism (PCEJ); Agha Iqrar Haroon, Special Correspondent Dispatch News Desk, Irfan Haider, multimedia journalist at Dawn.com, Wahab Tariq Butt, Bureau Chief PTV News HK, and Zia Ur Rehman, journalist at The Friday Times.
The statement attempts to convey a message of defiance against closing down “any television or radio channel or newspaper” and urges media owners to “rise above their corporate interests and rivalries and work together against threats to and attacks upon journalists in Pakistan.”
There is also a vow to stand united and avoid the pitfalls of division. “The shameful divisions in the Pakistani media are not only making journalists more vulnerable to attack and weakening our fight for justice, truth and democracy but also making us a spectacle for the world to see.”
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.