JournalismPakistan.com | Published November 04, 2015
Join our WhatsApp channel
NEW YORK: The Committee to Protect Journalists has called for Pakistan to investigate the killing of local journalist Zaman Mehsud who was shot dead in Tank district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday.
The 40-year-old journalist was the president and secretary-general of the Tribal Union of Journalists' South Waziristan chapter and worked for the Urdu-language Daily Ummat. He was also the district coordinator of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in Tank, an independent group critical of all sides in the ongoing conflict in Pakistan.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, with its commander Qari Saif Ullah Saif telling Reuters: "We killed him because he was writing against us ... we have some other journalists on our hit list in the region, soon we will target them." It is difficult to verify such claims independently.
"Whether it was related to his work as a journalist or for the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan or some other reason, the murder of such a widely respected figure as Zaman Mehsud deserves the full attention of investigative authorities," said Bob Dietz, CPJ's Asia program coordinator. "Pakistan can ill afford to add to its history of impunity for murderers, no matter who claims responsibility."
Pakistan ranks ninth on CPJ's global Impunity Index, which analyzes countries where journalists are murdered and their killers go free. CPJ data shows that 22 journalists have been murdered with impunity in the past decade.
Impunity remains the norm not only in these murders but also in a slew of non-fatal attacks, such as the shooting that gravely injured news anchor Hamid Mir in 2014. Threats to journalists come from military and intelligence agencies, political parties, criminal groups and militants, and corrupt local leaders, CPJ has found. - CPJ
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.