JournalismPakistan.com | Published November 07, 2020
Join our WhatsApp channel
Media columnist and social media activist Bayazid Kharoti, who was reported ‘missing’ since November 4, had actually been arrested in Quetta on charges of meddling in the work of police.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) denounce the misuse of the authority to detain the media worker and urge that the case be withdrawn.
On November 5 police say they arrested Kharoti, a newspaper columnist and the administrator of a Facebook page and WhatsApp group called "Choti Chiri" (Little Bird), on accusations of forcibly entering the headquarters of the paramilitary. In case filed against him, Kharoti is also accused using inappropriate language after police asked him to leave the paramilitary compound. Following the arrest, he appeared before the magistrate’s court in Quetta where he was ordered to be remanded for five days.
Earlier Kharoti's family members and friends claimed he was abducted. Later a spokesman for the Balochistan provincial government Liaquat Shahwani announced Kharoti's arrest after news about his disappearance spread. Kharoti is known for his critical column and social media posts about government, security forces in Balochistan and corruption in the region.
The Pakistani military has long been accused of harassing journalists to silence the dissent in Balochistan.
Kharoti is the latest case of arbitrary arrest in Pakistan. Nabeel Jakhura and Shabi Al Hassan, the president and assistant vice president of BOL Network respectively, were abducted in Karachi on October 8 and released after two days. Similarly, journalist Matiullah Jan, a senior Pakistani journalist who was abducted on July 21 in Islamabad was released late at night on the same day near Fateh Jang, Punjab.
The PFUJ Secretary General Rana M Azeem said: “PFUJ strongly condemn the arrest of activist and columnist Bayzaid Kharoti just for his criticism on the authorities. Freedom of speech & expression should not be compromised. This is against the democratic norms.”
The IFJ said: “The IFJ notes that arbitrary abductions and arrests of the journalists, media workers, opinion writers and social media activists has been on the increase in Pakistan, in a blatant bid to silence the critics. The IFJ urges the Pakistan authorities respect freedom of expression enshrined in the constitution and ensure that such illegal and arbitrary action ceases.” - IFJ media release
December 05, 2024: UNESCO and IRADA hosted a national consultation in Islamabad, calling for inclusive Internet governance reforms in Pakistan to protect digital rights, freedom of expression, and access to information through multi-stakeholder collaboration.
December 04, 2024: A viral video claiming journalist Matiullah Jan was expelled from PMA has been debunked by iVerify Pakistan. The video, edited with AI, originates from the drama serial Ehd-e-Wafa.
November 30, 2024: Journalist Matiullah Jan has been released from Adiala Jail after securing bail, ending fears of a potential transfer to Attock Jail. He expressed gratitude to supporters and shared light-hearted moments about his custody.
November 30, 2024: Daily Dawn condemns the arrest of journalist Matiullah Jan as a misuse of the law. The editorial highlights concerns over the state's weaponization of legal provisions against journalists, activists, and dissenters.
November 30, 2024: The Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court has granted bail to journalist Matiullah Jan in a case involving drugs and terrorism charges. He was released on a surety bond of PKR 10,000 following the suspension of his physical remand by the Islamabad High Court.
November 29, 2024: The Lahore High Court has ordered the production of journalist Shakir Mahmood Awan’s alleged kidnapper by Monday while summoning IG Punjab and demanding CCTV footage from Safe City.
November 29, 2024: Suno TV faces criticism for targeting senior journalist Matiullah Jan with a smear campaign following his controversial abduction and arrest. This raises serious concerns about media ethics and press freedom in Pakistan.
November 29, 2024: WISPAP has requested the Ministry of Interior to extend the deadline for VPN registration in Pakistan, citing the need to ensure compliance amid increasing VPN usage after platform bans.
December 05, 2024 Over 50 journalists protested in Kuala Lumpur against proposed amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act, which threaten press freedom. IFJ and NUJM urge the government to withdraw the bill and engage in stakeholder consultation.
December 04, 2024 The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 faces uncertainty as Pakistan's hosting rights clash with India's refusal to participate. A political and financial standoff unfolds.
December 03, 2024 Submit your work for the Global Shining Light Award by February 28, 2025. Celebrate investigative journalism from the Global South at the Kuala Lumpur conference.
November 21, 2024 Investigative journalist Rana Ayyub received over 200 threats after her phone number was leaked on social media by a right-wing content creator. IFJ and IJU demand Maharashtra authorities take immediate action against those responsible for this targeted online harassment.
November 20, 2024 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Germany is accepting applications for its 2025 Berlin Fellowship Program, offering journalists from crisis areas six months of digital security training, networking opportunities, and more.