FIA summons journalist Harmeet Singh over alleged anti-state rhetoric

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 18 December 2024 |  CPJ News Alert

Journalist Harmeet Singh has been summoned by the FIA for questioning over alleged anti-state comments. His case highlights the ongoing harassment faced by journalists in Pakistan.

Summary

NEW YORK—Pakistani authorities must stop harassing broadcast journalist Harmeet Singh. He has been summoned to appear for questioning on December 24 at the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) Cyber Crime Reporting Center in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on allegations he engaged in "negative rhetoric against state institutions," according to a copy of the summons reviewed by CPJ and Singh, who spoke with CPJ.

The FIA's Cyber Crime Reporting Center in Islamabad has also registered a first information report, which opens an investigation, against Singh, an anchor for local news outlet Such TV. The report accuses him of using his social media account to "propagate a misleading, concocted, and baseless campaign against state institutions and security agencies of Pakistan." The allegations relate to Singh's social media activity during the November 2024 protests that he covered in Islamabad by supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, according to a copy of the report reviewed by CPJ.

"Pakistan's security agencies must immediately stop the harassment of journalist Harmeet Singh and allow him to work without intimidation," said Beh Lih Yi, CPJ's Asia program coordinator. "In 2024, journalists in Pakistan have faced unprecedented violence by both state and non-state actors. It is the government's responsibility to put an end to this."

On Saturday, a special court in Islamabad granted Singh pre-arrest bail until December 21, in connection with the FIA complaint.

Singh, one of Pakistan's few Sikh journalists, has faced threats to his life in the past, especially after his brother was killed in a personal animosity case. He told CPJ that he believes the authorities' efforts are an attempt to silence him and other journalists from reporting the on-the-ground realities in Pakistan.

The targeting of Singh is part of a broader pattern of intimidation against journalists in Pakistan. On November 27, senior journalist Matiullah Jan was arrested on terrorism charges after reporting on protests by supporters of former prime minister Imran Khan.

CPJ reached out to Pakistan Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar for comment but received no response.