PFUJ recalls November 3, 2007 emergency as Pakistan’s darkest day
November 03, 2025: PFUJ recalls November 3, 2007, as Pakistan’s darkest day under Musharraf, urging protection for journalists and the abolition of laws threatening press freedom.
JournalismPakistan.com | Published 2 years ago
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD—Interviews of two Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf leaders, one of which went on air and the other did not, have stirred a heated debate on the role of journalists and the ethics of presenting missing persons before the cameras.
The interview of Usman Dar, conducted at the home of anchor Shahid Kamran, went on air on Dunya News. Dar, who went missing on September 9, left the party and held Imran Khan, PTI Chairman Imran Khan responsible for the May 9 events.
On the other hand, the interview of Sadaqat Ali Abbasi, who went missing on October 3, became a controversy. Adil Shahzeb, who hosts a talk show conducted the interview at the Islamabad office of DawnNews. However, it was not aired, the channel's management announcing a probe into how the interview was recorded.
In a post on X, PPP leader Farhatullah Babar questioned the value of confessions made on TV screen. “What is the value of a confession made on TV screen by a political worker, regardless of pol affiliation, after his abduction & holding in custody for weeks by unknown persons? Whatever the legality, the morality is first investigate the kidnappers & then look into 'confession'”.
Senior journalist Mazhar Abbas termed the recording of the interview at the DawnNews office a direct attack on the freedom of expression. He however, appreciated that it was not broadcast. “What happened on DAWN TV in the name of confessional interview was the direct attack on freedom on expression. I feel sorry for the anchor but as DAWN kept its tradition of up holding the principles of journalism.”
Journalist and analyst Moeed Pirzada, in his vlog, claimed that Sadaqat Abbassi was clearly not well, mentally and physically, and his face was given another remake up.
Journalist Mubashir Zaidi saluted Dawn for not airing the interview. “I salute Dawn for declining the airing of a PLANTED interview. Felt proud to be part of the organization for 23 years.”
Kamran Shahid defended the recording of Dar’s interview, saying he was only doing his journalistic work, but Adil Shahzeb remains quiet. According to BBC Urdu, Adil has turned off his cellphone numbers.
A former legislator, Bushra Gohar, appreciated Dawn but asked what steps it would take against Adil, calling him a “planted journalist”. In a post on X, she asked: “Courageous of #DAWN to not air a planted interview. What action will @Dawn_News take against planted journalist?”
Former Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar backed Dawn’s decision and asked other channels to follow it. “Dawn has set a good example for others to follow.”
November 03, 2025: PFUJ recalls November 3, 2007, as Pakistan’s darkest day under Musharraf, urging protection for journalists and the abolition of laws threatening press freedom.
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.
November 02, 2025: Impunity for crimes against journalists deepens worldwide as Pakistan reports a 60 percent surge in attacks and weak enforcement of safety laws.
November 01, 2025: Pakistan Press Foundation reports 137 attacks on journalists in 2025, highlighting rising threats, legal harassment, and censorship on the International Day to End Impunity.
November 01, 2025: A viral Samaa TV clip featuring MNA Sher Afzal Marwat’s crude remarks and Talat Hussain’s laughter raises questions about the declining ethics of Pakistani television.
October 31, 2025: Police foiled a plot to kill DawnNewsTV journalist Tahir Naseer in Rawalpindi after arresting suspects hired for Rs200,000. Naseer says threats followed his reporting.
October 31, 2025: CPJ calls on Pakistan to bring Imtiaz Mir’s killers to justice after the journalist was allegedly murdered by a banned militant group in Karachi.
October 30, 2025: The PFUJ has condemned a fabricated drug case against journalist Matiullah Jan, calling it an attempt to silence him and urging authorities to quash the charges immediately.
November 03, 2025 Global journalist unions condemn the Indonesian agriculture minister’s lawsuit against Tempo, calling it a threat to press freedom and demanding that the case be withdrawn.
November 02, 2025 Independent outlet All About Macau to halt print and online operations amid rising pressure, financial strain, and legal threats, sparking press freedom concerns in the city.
November 01, 2025 Belarus court jails journalist Siarhei Chabotska for extremism and defaming the president, highlighting Minsk’s ongoing crackdown on press freedom.
November 01, 2025 Mexican journalist Miguel Angel Beltran was found murdered in Durango. CPJ urges authorities to ensure justice amid rising violence against journalists in Mexico.
November 01, 2025 UNESCO survey finds one-third of media lawyers cannot effectively defend journalists due to threats, limited resources, and lack of specialization.