PFUJ calls for end to Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists
November 02, 2025: PFUJ urges Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments to end Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists and ensure their safety and press freedom.
JournalismPakistan.com | Published 6 months ago | JP Staff Report
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ISLAMABAD- A striking uniformity in responses from Pakistani journalists to a recent post on X (formerly Twitter) has raised eyebrows. The post, shared by Shashank Joshi, speculated about a possible Indian military strike on Pakistan following a deadly terrorist attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir, which left 26 people dead.
Joshi posted: "I think it is likely that we will see an Indian military strike on Pakistan in the coming weeks."
Prominent Pakistani journalists Gharidah Farooqi, Amir Ilyas Rana, and Waqar Satti responded identically to the claim: "We are also ready with Swift Retort and this time you will be taken down on first attempt to attack, InshaAllah."
The phrase “Swift Retort” refers to Pakistan’s rapid military response in February 2019 after India’s Balakot airstrike. Pakistan downed an Indian aircraft and captured Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was later released.
Journalist Sabir Shakir, currently residing abroad and facing several legal cases, also responded to Joshi’s post. He warned of a repeat of the 2019 retaliation and advised Joshi to consult Abhinandan before promoting any military adventure.
Shakir clarified that his post was not a “forwarded as received” message—an apparent dig at a recent speech by COAS General Asim Munir, who criticized the unchecked forwarding of unverified content on social media.
Photo caption: Indian army personnel stand guard near Pahalgam, south of Srinagar, on April 22, 2025, following an attack. (AFP)
اسلام آباد: کیا یہ محض اتفاق ہے کہ چند پاکستانی صحافیوں نے ایک ہی طرح کا ردعمل دیا ایکس پر کی گئی اس پوسٹ پر، جس میں ایک ممکنہ بھارتی حملے کی پیشگوئی کی گئی تھی؟
یہ پوسٹ ششانک جوشی نے کی، جس میں کہا گیا:
"مجھے لگتا ہے کہ آئندہ ہفتوں میں بھارت کی جانب سے پاکستان پر فوجی حملہ دیکھنے کو مل سکتا ہے۔"
اس پر پاکستانی صحافی غریدہ فاروقی، عامر الیاس رانا، اور وقار ستی نے ایک جیسا پیغام دیا:
"ہم بھی Swift Retort کے ساتھ تیار ہیں اور اس بار تمہیں پہلے ہی وار میں گرا دیا جائے گا، انشاءاللہ۔"
یہ تینوں فروری 2019 کے اس واقعے کی طرف اشارہ کر رہے تھے جب بھارت نے بالا کوٹ پر حملہ کیا تھا، جس کے بعد پاکستان نے چند دنوں میں زبردست ردعمل دیا، ایک بھارتی طیارہ مار گرایا اور ونگ کمانڈر ابھی نندن کو گرفتار کیا، جنہیں بعد ازاں رہا کیا گیا۔
صحافی صابر شاکر، جو اس وقت بیرون ملک مقیم ہیں اور متعدد مقدمات کا سامنا کر رہے ہیں، نے بھی جوشی کی پوسٹ پر ردعمل دیا۔ انہوں نے خبردار کیا کہ پاکستان ایک بار پھر ویسا ہی جواب دے گا جیسا 2019 میں دیا تھا۔ انہوں نے جوشی کو مشورہ دیا کہ کسی مہم جوئی سے پہلے ابھی نندن سے مشورہ ضرور کر لیں۔
شاکر نے وضاحت کی کہ ان کی پوسٹ "فارورڈڈ ایز رسیوڈ" نہیں ہے، اور یہ اشارہ جنرل عاصم منیر کی حالیہ تقریر کی طرف تھا جس میں انہوں نے بغیر تصدیق کے پیغامات شیئر کرنے پر تنقید کی تھی۔
تصویر کا کیپشن: بھارتی فوجی اہلکار 22 اپریل 2025 کو حملے کے بعد سری نگر کے جنوب میں واقع پہلگام کے قریب پہرہ دے رہے ہیں۔ (اے ایف پی)
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