JournalismPakistan.com | Published April 20, 2021
Join our WhatsApp channelISLAMABAD—Absar Alam, a senior journalist and former chairman of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), survived a gun attack on Tuesday.
Alam was out walking near his home when the shooter fired a shot at him and escaped.
Passers-by rushed him to a nearby hospital where doctors termed his condition out of danger.
Alam is a vocal critic of the PTI government and the military.
In a video clip shared widely on social media, Alam said he was walking when he was fired at, the bullet hitting his ribs. “I am in high spirits and will remain so; this is my message to the attackers. I am not afraid of these things.”
Although not involved in active journalism since leaving PEMRA in December 2017, he has worked in print and electronic media for many years. He was a resident editor of The Nation at one time.
November 28, 2024: Senior journalist Matiullah Jan has been abducted in Islamabad while investigating PTI protest deaths. Rights lawyers have filed a habeas corpus petition as charges of drug possession and terrorism spark outrage.
November 25, 2021: Female journalist Ambreen Fatima, wife of investigative reporter Ahmad Noorani, was attacked by unidentified assailants in Lahore, leading to damage to her car and threats against her.
November 21, 2021: Amir Wasim, Chief Reporter for Dawn newspaper, reported being chased by unknown individuals after leaving FAFEN's office. The incident is linked to a controversial anti-government journalists convention and allegations against FAFEN.
August 14, 2021: Tribal journalist Gohar Mehsud was assaulted outside the National Press Club in Islamabad. While the attacker was arrested, journalists and the public demand greater safety and accountability for media professionals.
July 21, 2021: Journalist Mehrab Shah Afridi from Khyber District has faced threats inside the Landi Kotal Press Club after an interview with MPA Shafiq Sher Afridi. Journalists across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have condemned the intimidation and called for protection.
July 07, 2021: Rahim Yar Khan Police allegedly tortured senior journalist Asghar Jaffery while in custody, causing him to lose sight in one eye. Local journalists staged a protest, leading to his release and the suspension of an ASI.
May 26, 2021: Journalist Asad Ali Toor was brutally attacked by unidentified men inside his Islamabad apartment. Toor sustained severe injuries and is undergoing treatment. The assailants questioned him about his funding sources before fleeing the scene.
January 21, 2021: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemns the brutal attack on senior journalist G.N Mughal in Hyderabad, urging the immediate arrest of the culprits and demanding protection for journalists from the provincial and federal governments.
January 13, 2025 An analysis of Absar Alam's controversial criticism of successful Pakistani YouTubers in exile, examining the intersection of journalism, digital media success, and political persecution, while questioning the credibility of criticism from a former PEMRA chief whose own appointment was declared illegal.
January 13, 2025 Prominent journalist Asma Shirazi faces relentless online harassment in a coordinated campaign involving gendered disinformation. Press freedom groups demand immediate action to protect female journalists in Pakistan.
January 12, 2025 Explore an in-depth analysis of Pakistan cricket's decline in Test matches, examining systemic failures, cultural challenges, and the urgent need for modernization. From mismanagement of talents like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi to resistance against technological advancement, this comprehensive piece investigates how a cricket powerhouse finds itself at a critical crossroads between tradition and progress.
January 10, 2025 The FIA Cyber Wing is investigating a social media campaign involving AI-manipulated images of Maryam Nawaz and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed. Teams are working to trace the content's origins and identify those involved.
January 09, 2025 Shan Masood's magnificent 145 and a record-breaking opening stand with Babar Azam highlighted Pakistan's valiant fight against South Africa in Cape Town. Despite their resilience, Pakistan fell short, reflecting on deeper cricketing issues.