JournalismPakistan.com | Published September 24, 2018
Join our WhatsApp channelLAHORE - The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Dawn journalist Cyril Almeida and his name was placed on the exit control list.
The case filed by civil society member Amina Malik, seeks action against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif under treason charges for allegedly defaming state institutions through an interview he gave to Almeida.
The interview was published in Dawn on May 12 this year and caused quite a stir after Sharif said: “Militant organisations are active. Call them non-state actors, should we allow them to cross the border and kill 150 people in Mumbai? Explain it to me. Why can’t we complete the trial?”
Amina Malik also seeks action against former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for allegedly disclosing the minutes of a National Security Council (NSC) meeting to Nawaz.
A three-judge bench headed by Justice Mazahir Ali Naqvi is hearing the case.
Almeida had not appeared in the last three hearings and now has to be present in court on October 8.
Dawn columnist and analyst Zahid Hussain termed the treason charges against Almeida “A mockery of law and constitution. Journalist being tried for treason. Pathetic,” he tweeted.
Khurram Husain, business editor at Dawn also batted for his colleague: “No. Running an interview of a former Prime Minister is NOT, and must never be, treason. We cheapen such charges by applying them in this manner,” he said in a tweet.
Photo: Twitter (@cyalm)
July 08, 2025: As Pakistani authorities move to block YouTube channels of journalists, censorship tightens. Yet, social media has emerged as a defiant force, keeping the spirit of free speech alive despite increasing state control.
July 08, 2025: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has acquitted a murder accused, ruling that confessions made to the media while in police custody are inadmissible. Justice Athar Minallah emphasized due process and transparency in legal proceedings.
July 08, 2025: The Pakistan government has approached a court seeking the removal of several YouTube channels operated by prominent journalists, accusing them of spreading false information and provoking unrest against state institutions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.