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 10 months ago | JP Staff Report
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ISLAMABAD-The year 2024 has ended with alarming challenges for press freedom and media safety in Pakistan. The Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) has reported a tightly controlled environment for free expression, compounded by threats to journalists’ safety and widespread internet shutdowns.
Journalists in Pakistan faced a year marked by political turmoil, legislative crackdowns, and increasing online and offline threats. A delayed general election in February, preceded by a caretaker government, set the stage for contested results and waves of opposition protests. These events heightened the risks for journalists, who often found themselves targeted by law enforcement and political activists.
Violence and Harassment: Key Statistics
From January to December 2024, the PPF documented 162 confirmed attacks and censorship attempts targeting journalists and media professionals. The alarming figures include:
Censorship and Restrictions: 31 instances, including:
These incidents reflect a deteriorating environment for free expression, leaving media professionals navigating both physical and digital hazards.
Legislative and Policy Developments
In addition to direct attacks, legislative measures further tightened the noose on free expression. Key developments included:
Internet Shutdowns and Connectivity Issues
Internet shutdowns became a tool for control, with 19 documented cases affecting mobile connectivity and access to social media platforms. Such measures severely hampered the ability of journalists to gather and disseminate information.
A Climate of Fear and Uncertainty
The report highlights an environment where mixed messaging and unclear policies by authorities have left journalists vulnerable. Efforts to regulate online spaces through punitive measures have not only restricted access to information but also increased the risks faced by media professionals.
As the year closes, the PPF underscores the urgent need for protecting journalists’ rights and fostering a climate of free expression. Without practical steps to ensure safety and clear, inclusive policymaking, the future of press freedom in Pakistan remains precarious.
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.