JournalismPakistan.com | Published December 18, 2024 at 07:22 pm | CPJ News Alert
Join our WhatsApp channel
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.
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.
May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.
May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.