Journalism Pakistan
Journalism Pakistan
Sri Lanka: No justice for Lasantha Wickrematunge as murder suspects releasedPFUJ to IHC: PECA Law must be suspended to protect journalismHum News leads the way: First Pakistani channel to embrace AI toolsEnhancing trauma reporting: Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2025Youm-e-Tameer-o-Taraqi or Youm-e-Tabahi? Government spends millions on self-congratulatory adsBlogger killed, editor missing as Mozambique's press freedom crisis deepensPTV pensioners continue protests over unpaid dues and medical facilitiesWill PECA 2025 law be repealed? PFUJ begins a legal battleDefying threats: Munizae Jahangir's story reveals what it costs to be a woman journalist in PakistanIndia revokes nonprofit and tax status of news outletsUkraine's security service opens criminal case after Ukrainska Pravda reportTwo Cambodian journalists detained over cyber scam torture video

Journalist Gul Bukhari threatened with terrorism charges, extradition from UK

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published February 13, 2020

Join our WhatsApp channel

Journalist Gul Bukhari threatened with terrorism charges, extradition from UK

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Pakistani authorities should withdraw their threats to bring terrorism charges against journalist Gul Bukhari, and should stop harassing journalists at home and abroad, the Committee to Protect Journalists said.

Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency issued a statement demanding that Bukhari, a Pakistani columnist based in the United Kingdom, appear in Pakistan for questioning about her alleged online propaganda against the government within 30 days or else the agency would file terrorism charges against her, according to the statement, which CPJ reviewed, and news reports.

The statement threatened that the agency would seek Bukhari’s extradition from the United Kingdom through Interpol, and could seize any property that Bukhari has in Pakistan.

Bukhari, speaking to CPJ via messaging app, said she had not been formally served with any papers, and said she did not know what sparked the agency’s threats. She said she has no plans to return to Pakistan in response to the summons. Bukhari, who is a dual British-Pakistani citizen, said she did not believe she would be extradited from the United Kingdom, but said she felt she would need to be cautious if she traveled to other countries.

She has recently written columns critical of Pakistan’s government for the Indian news websites The Quint and The Print, and frequently posts political commentary on her Twitter account, where she has 345,000 followers.

“Pakistani authorities should stop threatening Gul Bukhari and other journalists and critics for speaking out, whether at home or abroad,” said Steven Butler, CPJ’s Asia program coordinator. “Threatening to charge a journalist with terrorism and to confiscate her property over social media posts or published articles is absurd, and only reveals the government’s extreme insecurity.”

Bukhari said she was told by journalists in London that the Pakistani government was seeking to discover her address in the U.K., which she has kept secret, and feared that she could be subject to attack.

On February 2, Pakistani dissident and human right activist Ahmad Waqass Goraya was punched by men waiting outside his home in the Netherlands, which he blamed on Pakistani state agents, he told CPJ via messaging app. He said he suffered light injuries, and described the incident—attacked by one man, filmed by another—as similar to previous attacks on Pakistani critics in exile.

Exiled journalist Taha Siddiqui wrote in a Washington Post op-ed last year that he and other dissidents had been warned by U.S. officials of potential attacks against them. Waqass Goraya said he received a similar warning in 2018 from U.S. officials.

CPJ emailed Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency for comment, but did not immediately receive a reply. The agency has posted links to news stories about the summons on its official website.

In June 2018, Bukhari, who at the time was a commentator on the Urdu-language TV news channel Waqt News, was briefly abducted while en route to the station, CPJ reported at the time.—CPJ/Photo: Reuters

Matiullah Jan abducted while investigating PTI deaths

Matiullah Jan abducted while investigating PTI deaths

 November 28, 2024:  Senior journalist Matiullah Jan has been abducted in Islamabad while investigating PTI protest deaths. Rights lawyers have filed a habeas corpus petition as charges of drug possession and terrorism spark outrage.

Journalist Ahmed Noorani's family comes under attack

Journalist Ahmed Noorani's family comes under attack

 November 25, 2021:  Female journalist Ambreen Fatima, wife of investigative reporter Ahmad Noorani, was attacked by unidentified assailants in Lahore, leading to damage to her car and threats against her.

Dawn chief reporter Amir Wasim claims being chased

Dawn chief reporter Amir Wasim claims being chased

 November 21, 2021:  Amir Wasim, Chief Reporter for Dawn newspaper, reported being chased by unknown individuals after leaving FAFEN's office. The incident is linked to a controversial anti-government journalists convention and allegations against FAFEN.

Tribal journalist Gohar Mehsud assaulted outside National Press Club

Tribal journalist Gohar Mehsud assaulted outside National Press Club

 August 14, 2021:  Tribal journalist Gohar Mehsud was assaulted outside the National Press Club in Islamabad. While the attacker was arrested, journalists and the public demand greater safety and accountability for media professionals.

Journalist threatened inside Landi Kotal Press Club

Journalist threatened inside Landi Kotal Press Club

 July 21, 2021:  Journalist Mehrab Shah Afridi from Khyber District has faced threats inside the Landi Kotal Press Club after an interview with MPA Shafiq Sher Afridi. Journalists across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have condemned the intimidation and called for protection.

Journalist tortured in police custody

Journalist tortured in police custody

 July 07, 2021:  Rahim Yar Khan Police allegedly tortured senior journalist Asghar Jaffery while in custody, causing him to lose sight in one eye. Local journalists staged a protest, leading to his release and the suspension of an ASI.

Journalist Asad Toor injured by unidentified assailants

Journalist Asad Toor injured by unidentified assailants

 May 26, 2021:  Journalist Asad Ali Toor was brutally attacked by unidentified men inside his Islamabad apartment. Toor sustained severe injuries and is undergoing treatment. The assailants questioned him about his funding sources before fleeing the scene.

Absar Alam survives gun attack in Islamabad

Absar Alam survives gun attack in Islamabad

 April 20, 2021:  Senior journalist and former PEMRA chairman, Absar Alam, survived a gun attack near his home in Islamabad. Alam, a vocal critic of the PTI government and military, remains in high spirits and unshaken by the attack.

Newsroom
Sri Lanka: No justice for Lasantha Wickrematunge as murder suspects released

Sri Lanka: No justice for Lasantha Wickrematunge as murder suspects released

 February 14, 2025 Justice remains elusive 16 years after the assassination of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, as Sri Lanka’s Attorney General orders the release of three key suspects. Journalist organizations strongly condemn the move, calling for urgent action to end impunity for crimes against the media.

PFUJ to IHC: PECA Law must be suspended to protect journalism

PFUJ to IHC: PECA Law must be suspended to protect journalism

 February 11, 2025 The PFUJ has petitioned the Islamabad High Court to suspend the PECA Amendment Act, arguing that the law curtails press freedom and contains contradictory provisions. The court has issued a notice to the Attorney General for assistance.

Hum News leads the way: First Pakistani channel to embrace AI tools

Hum News leads the way: First Pakistani channel to embrace AI tools

 February 09, 2025 Hum News Network becomes the first Pakistani channel to embrace AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek, enhancing productivity and innovation. Discover how this visionary move sets new standards in media.

Enhancing trauma reporting: Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2025

Enhancing trauma reporting: Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2025

 February 09, 2025 The Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2025 is open for applications! This prestigious program at Columbia University offers journalists an intensive seminar on trauma reporting, media ethics, and responsible journalism. Apply by March 3, 2025.

Youm-e-Tameer-o-Taraqi or Youm-e-Tabahi? Government spends millions on self-congratulatory ads

Youm-e-Tameer-o-Taraqi or Youm-e-Tabahi? Government spends millions on self-congratulatory ads

 February 08, 2025 As Pakistan faces an economic crisis, the government splurges taxpayers' money on full-page ads and press releases to glorify its achievements. Critics call it a wasteful PR stunt. Read how public funds are being misused for political propaganda.