Journalists becoming part of HRCP petition generates heated debate

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published November 19, 2020

ISLAMABAD—The issue of leading journalists becoming part of a petition filed in the Islamabad High Court by the Pakistan Human Rights Commission over a PEMRA ban on showing speeches of proclaimed absconders generated a heated debate on Twitter.

Muhammad Ziauddin, Ghazi Salahuddin, Najam Sethi, Nasim Zehra, Amber Rahim Shamsi, Gharidah Farooqi, Mohmal Sarfraz, Mansoor Ali Khan, Zahid Hussain, Asma Shirazi, Saleem Safi, and Syed Ejaz Haider have been mentioned as petitioners along with HRCP and Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah, according to Dawn, made clear that the "court cannot grant relief to an absconder" while hearing the petition. The petition challenges Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) order to ban speeches, interviews, and public addresses by proclaimed offenders.

PEMRA banned such speeches after former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif spoke aggressively against the military leadership while addressing the opposition alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement's public meetings.

Asma Shirazi was not happy with the petition's contents. In a tweet, she said, "Based on the principal of Freedom of Expression I gave my consent to be part of the HRCP and PFUJ petition. But the petition in the form it is presented in the court is not what I agreed to nor I want this matter to be viewed from a specific person's point of view."

In a follow-up tweet, she demanded improvement in the petition. "My view is clear that this matter should be looked at with reference to fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution 19A. So the petition in the current form needs to be improved & should address clearly the core principal of freedom of speech regardless of individuals."

Abbas Nasir, a former Dawn editor, did not like the fact that journalists decided to become part of the petition without reading it. "What a shame. Leading lights of the media consented to being part of a petition they had not read. Wow. Hope their journalism is better informed."

However, veteran journalists Muhammad Ziauddin tried to defend his decision. "I would sign any petition questioning PEMRA's directives because being a branch of Information Ministry, it can't serve as a regulator in the true sense & its decisions would, therefore, be2 protect& promote the interests of the government and not the state."

Sabir Shakir said in an Urdu tweet that a number of faces had been exposed.

Many Twitter users called for banning these journalists. They thought that by becoming part of a political petition, they had violated journalistic norms. Some shared a clip of PMLN leader Mussadiq Malik in an ARY talk show. He said on the program that petitions challenging the ban on showing former prime minister's speeches would be challenged by the party and leading journalists.

Gharidah Farooqi said the petition should not be seen as person-specific. "Having made my stance/point absolutely clear re the IHC petition via earlier tweets/broadcast; not in favour of person specific laws/reliefs whatsoever; but in a broader general issue of media/press freedom and freedom of speech/expression as per Constt/Law of the land."

In a tweet, Moeed Pirzada claimed Nasim Zehra had withdrawn her name from the petition. "Nasim Zehra was mislead & has rightly withdrawn her name from this strange "unethical petition" in political support of an absconder! Courts had earlier rejected a petition to ban Nawaz speeches & argued that its PEMRA's job! Don't grace a criminal!"

Even a win can't hide Pakistan's structural collapse in cricket

 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.

Journalists stage walkout at post-budget briefing over government's dismissive attitude

 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.

Legal storm brews as Dr. Nauman Niaz serves defamation notice on Shoaib Akhtar

 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.

HRCP urges complete repeal of PECA, citing threats to free speech and civil liberties

 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.

PFUJ condemns murder of journalist Syed Mohammad Shah, urges immediate justice

 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.

State within a state? Police block reinstated Jang employees from resuming duties

 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.

PFUJ slams Jang Group's 'economic massacre' after mass firing of over 80 workers

 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.

Labor rights trampled: Daily Jang defies court, terminates over 80 employees

 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.