Journalism Pakistan
Journalism Pakistan
Blogger 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freedom crisis deepensPTV pensioners continue protests over unpaid dues and medical facilitiesWill PECA 2025 law be repealed?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 videoThe Olympic Games: A timeless testament to human excellence and unityMexican journalist Alejandro Gallegos killed in TabascoTaliban sentence Afghan journalist Sayed Rahim Saeedi to three years in prisonThe struggles of Pakistan cricket: A system in disarray$10,000 award for journalists defending the rule of law

Leaked justice: Journalists tweet Imran Khan's 14-year sentence before judge's verdict

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published January 17, 2025 at 07:47 pm |  JP Staff Report

Join our WhatsApp channel

Leaked justice: Journalists tweet Imran Khan's 14-year sentence before judge's verdict

ISLAMABAD—In a development that has raised serious questions about judicial independence and the integrity of Pakistan's legal process, several prominent journalists accurately predicted the exact prison sentences for former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the Al-Qadir Trust case—a full day before the official announcement.

The controversy began when journalist Mehr Bukhari posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) at 1:21 pm on Thursday, stating that Khan would receive 14 years imprisonment while Bushra Bibi would get seven years. The prediction proved eerily accurate when the court announced precisely these sentences on Friday. When questioned about her foreknowledge, Bukhari later modified her post to attribute the information to "sources."

She wasn't alone. Journalist Gharidah Farooqi also tweeted the exact sentences, while analyst Hasan Ayub correctly predicted that the former prime minister's sentence would exceed his wife's by several years.

The precision of these predictions has sparked intense debate about the transparency of Pakistan's judicial process. Former federal minister Shireen Mazari pointedly remarked on the "psychic" abilities of certain journalists who knew "the verdict right down to the exact details" before the judge's announcement. PTI lawyer Salman Safdar expressed similar concerns about the pre-emptive revelations.

Senior journalist Hamid Mir took a more direct approach, suggesting an investigation into how the verdict leaked from the judge's chambers. His call for accountability has added weight to growing concerns about the independence of judicial proceedings in high-profile political cases.

The incident has broader implications for Pakistan's justice system. The advance knowledge of such a significant verdict raises questions not just about judicial independence but also about the relationship between media personnel and judicial authorities. PTI leader Shahbaz Gill's assertion that the court proceedings were merely a "formality" after journalists had already announced the verdict reflects the opposition's deep skepticism about the process.

This controversy unfolds against the backdrop of increasing concerns about judicial transparency in Pakistan, particularly in cases involving political figures. The precise prediction of sentences has added fuel to ongoing debates about the neutrality of legal proceedings and the integrity of the judicial process in high-profile political cases.

 

PTV pensioners continue protests over unpaid dues and medical facilities

PTV pensioners continue protests over unpaid dues and medical facilities

 February 07, 2025:  PTV pensioners staged nationwide protests demanding their unpaid pensions, medical benefits, and dues for nearly 400 retirees. Protesters, supported by PFUJ, criticized PTV management for corruption and lavish expenses while neglecting retirees' rights.

Will PECA 2025 law be repealed? PFUJ begins a legal battle

Will PECA 2025 law be repealed? PFUJ begins a legal battle

 February 06, 2025:  PFUJ has challenged the controversial PECA Act 2025 in the Islamabad High Court, citing it as an attack on press freedom. Journalists and rights organizations protest the law’s implications for free speech and media independence in Pakistan.

Defying threats: Munizae Jahangir's story reveals what it costs to be a woman journalist in Pakistan

Defying threats: Munizae Jahangir's story reveals what it costs to be a woman journalist in Pakistan

 February 06, 2025:  Pakistani women journalists like Munizae Jahangir and Asma Shirazi face severe threats, harassment, and online abuse. This article explores the struggles of women in media, the systemic challenges, and potential solutions to ensure press freedom and journalist safety.

Contrasting paths:  White House welcomes digital media, Pakistan crushes it

Contrasting paths: White House welcomes digital media, Pakistan crushes it

 January 29, 2025:  As the White House welcomes podcasters and digital journalists, Pakistan tightens censorship through PECA amendments, silencing independent voices and forcing journalists into exile. A stark contrast in press freedom emerges.

PECA amendments further tighten government's grip on digital expression: IFJ

PECA amendments further tighten government's grip on digital expression: IFJ

 January 29, 2025:  Pakistan’s latest PECA amendments expand government control over social media, criminalize misinformation, and threaten freedom of expression. Media stakeholders and human rights groups condemn the draconian changes. Learn more about the implications for journalists and activists.

Digital Rights Forum warns of threat to free speech under PECA (Amendment) Act, 2025

Digital Rights Forum warns of threat to free speech under PECA (Amendment) Act, 2025

 January 28, 2025:  The Forum for Digital Rights and Democracy has raised concerns over the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, highlighting its risks to free speech, democratic values, and digital rights in Pakistan.

A dark day for press freedom in Pakistan: PECA Amendments spark outrage

A dark day for press freedom in Pakistan: PECA Amendments spark outrage

 January 28, 2025:  The Pakistan Senate's passage of the PECA Amendments Bill has sparked national and international outrage, marking a dark chapter for media freedom and free speech in the country.

CPJ calls on Pakistani authorities to end harassment, deportation of Afghan journalists

CPJ calls on Pakistani authorities to end harassment, deportation of Afghan journalists

 January 23, 2025:  CPJ exposes Pakistan's dangerous deportation of Afghan journalists fleeing Taliban persecution, highlighting critical human rights violations and press freedom challenges. #JournalistSafety

Newsroom
Blogger killed, editor missing as Mozambique's press freedom crisis deepens

Blogger killed, editor missing as Mozambique's press freedom crisis deepens

 February 07, 2025 Mozambican journalist Albino Sibia was killed while filming police brutality, and reporter Pedro Junior was shot covering his funeral. Arlindo Chissale remains missing. These attacks highlight the dire state of press freedom in Mozambique amid post-election unrest.

India revokes nonprofit and tax status of news outlets

India revokes nonprofit and tax status of news outlets

 February 05, 2025 The Committee to Protect Journalists urges the Indian government to stop targeting independent journalism after revoking the nonprofit and tax-exempt statuses of The Reporters’ Collective and The File. Learn how this impacts investigative reporting and media freedom in India.

Ukraine's security service opens criminal case after Ukrainska Pravda report

Ukraine's security service opens criminal case after Ukrainska Pravda report

 February 04, 2025 Ukraine’s security service (SBU) has opened a criminal case for disclosure of state secrets following Ukrainska Pravda’s report on statements by military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov. CPJ urges authorities to respect press freedom and journalist protections.

Two Cambodian journalists detained over cyber scam torture video

Two Cambodian journalists detained over cyber scam torture video

 February 03, 2025 Cambodian journalists Duong Akhara and Lay Socheat have been detained on incitement charges after publishing a video allegedly showing torture in a cyberscam center. Press freedom advocates call for their immediate release.

The Olympic Games: A timeless testament to human excellence and unity

The Olympic Games: A timeless testament to human excellence and unity

 February 03, 2025 Explore the rich history and philosophical significance of the Olympic Games, from their ancient Greek origins to their modern revival. Discover how the ideals of excellence, unity, and human resilience continue to inspire the world through the Olympic spirit.