HRCP urges government to ensure journalists' security

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 11 years ago

LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has condemned the threats to the life of prominent columnist Kamran Shafi (pictured) and the recent incidents of violence against journalists, and urged the federal and provincial governments to give greater attention to media-persons’ security.

In a statement issued on Friday, the commission said: “The HRCP has seen some of the threatening letters prominent columnist Kamran Shafi has been receiving from an ex-serviceman and is convinced that this is a serious matter. The government must extend him due security. The fact that the person issuing threats to him is, or claims to be an ex-serviceman reinforces the view that the virus of intolerance and violence has spread to sections of society that were earlier on supposed to be disciplined and responsible.

“Obviously, the threat to Kamran Shafi should be seen in the context of rapidly increasing vulnerability of media-persons. Only a few days ago a senior Quetta journalist, Irshad Mastoi, and two of his colleagues were gunned down in their office.

The HRCP said that then the whole country was offered the spectacle of journalists being beaten up and their equipment smashed by police and demonstrators in Islamabad’s Red Zone.

"No doubt the media community is under attack not only from the state apparatus but also political and religious zealots. Special attention needs to be paid to the security needs of journalists in Balochistan, where more than 30 of them have been killed over the past five years. Likewise, threats to journalists in FATA have forced quite a few of them to give up their vocation and places of normal residence.

“Media freedom is a basic pre-requisite to the establishment of functional democracy and the duty to protect it can be ignored by the state and non-state actors both at the risk of imperiling the highest interests of the people.”

 

Dive Deeper

Why only Nukta, Mr. Minister? Media workers question government's selective support

 November 06, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar’s job offer to Nukta staff draws criticism as hundreds of journalists across Pakistan face layoffs, salary delays, and job insecurity.

Information Minister Tarar announces jobs for all 37 laid-off Nukta employees

 November 06, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announces jobs for 37 laid-off Nukta employees, saying they will be placed at digital platforms within 48 hours amid growing media uncertainty.

Faisal Chaudhry’s viral one-liner on G for Gharidah steals the show

 November 05, 2025: PTI’s Faisal Chaudhry’s witty reply to Gharidah Farooqi on GTV’s “G for Gharidah” goes viral as a clip from their debate over the 27th Amendment sparks reactions online.

A digital dream falters: Nukta cuts 37 jobs in Pakistan after only one year

 November 05, 2025: Digital platform Nukta lays off 37 employees in Pakistan, including journalists and producers, highlighting the financial struggles facing new media ventures in a shrinking job market.

Talat Hussain says offensive viral clip was edited out, not aired on Samaa TV

 November 04, 2025: Talat Hussain denies airing the viral clip showing Sher Afzal Marwat’s vulgar remark, saying it was not part of his Samaa TV show.

PFUJ recalls November 3, 2007 emergency as Pakistan’s darkest day

 November 03, 2025: PFUJ recalls November 3, 2007, as Pakistan’s darkest day under Musharraf, urging protection for journalists and the abolition of laws threatening press freedom.

PFUJ calls for end to Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists

 November 02, 2025: PFUJ urges Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments to end Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists and ensure their safety and press freedom.

Global impunity for journalist murders worsens as Pakistan sees 60 percent rise in attacks

 November 02, 2025: Impunity for crimes against journalists deepens worldwide as Pakistan reports a 60 percent surge in attacks and weak enforcement of safety laws.