Haroon ur Rasheed breaks silence on controversial phone call

JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 7 November 2018

ISLAMABAD – Columnist and analyst Haroon ur Rasheed says he was trolled for two weeks for supporting an innocent man.

In his column in Daily Dunya about a telephonic conversation in which he appears to threaten a police officer, he said he has been presented as a criminal and the police officer as a saint.

This is the first time Rasheed has talked about the incident.

As the audio went viral, the columnist was trolled for days.

He added that he did not know the man he was supporting during the call, saying he may never meet him. “The political parties not happy with journalists had a field day against me. PTI was in the forefront (in criticizing him).”

Rasheed said everybody including people with a religious background, so-called liberals, intellectuals, and others went after him.

The most popular JournalismPakistan stories of 2025 explained

December 31, 2025: A year-end review of JournalismPakistan's five most popular stories of 2025, capturing controversies, media launches, sports psychology debates, and the revival of a slain journalist's digital legacy.

Family and team revive Arshad Sharif's YouTube channel

December 29, 2025: Arshad Sharif's YouTube channel has been revived by his family with support from longtime colleagues, aiming to preserve his legacy through memories and personal stories, not news.

Journalism is lost in Balochistan, Freedom Network study finds

December 28, 2025: A new Freedom Network report finds journalism in Balochistan under severe pressure, citing censorship, violence, economic decline, and digital isolation across Pakistan's largest province.

Journalists outraged over treatment of KP leaders in Punjab Assembly

December 27, 2025: Pakistani journalists condemn the treatment of a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa delegation at the Punjab Assembly, raising concerns over media ethics, inter-provincial respect, and political conduct.

10 reasons why journalism matters more in Pakistan in 2026

December 26, 2025: Despite rising threats and misinformation, journalism in Pakistan remains vital in 2026. Here are 10 reasons why independent reporting is crucial for public trust and accountability.

Media control at play on ARY News or a broadcast mishap

December 26, 2025: A video showing Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal briefly interrupted during a live ARY News interview has gone viral, prompting debate over media control and official clarifications.

Pakistani media in 2025 tested by layoffs, laws, and trust

December 25, 2025: An in-depth year-ender examining how Pakistani media navigated layoffs, legal pressure, censorship, and innovation in 2025, highlighting key reporting, risks, and what lies ahead.

Journalism at a crossroads as press freedom erodes in Pakistan

December 21, 2025: Pakistanâ€™s journalism faces growing repression through intimidation, PECA cases, economic pressure, and enforced silences, raising urgent questions about press freedom.

Newsroom

China tightens press controls as moderate voices fall silent

December 31, 2025 China is intensifying its crackdown on press freedom, silencing even moderate voices and increasing risks for local and foreign journalists, according to a new report.

French inquiry targets state media neutrality before 2027 vote

December 31, 2025 A French parliamentary inquiry launched by the UDR party is examining neutrality, governance, and funding of state media as the country heads toward the 2027 presidential election.

CPJ says 126 journalists killed in 2025 press freedom crisis

December 31, 2025 CPJ's year-end review calls 2025 one of the worst years for press freedom, citing 126 journalist deaths worldwide and rising assaults and pressure on independent media.

Saudi Arabia fines and suspends social media accounts in crackdown

December 31, 2025 Saudi regulators fined and suspended social media accounts in December 2025, signaling tighter online speech controls under cybercrime laws amid scrutiny of criticism over reforms.

Israel reaffirms Gaza entry ban for foreign journalists

December 31, 2025 Israel has reaffirmed restrictions barring foreign journalists from entering Gaza, prompting press freedom groups to warn of reduced transparency and limits on independent reporting.