JournalismPakistan.com | Published August 29, 2023
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD—The publishing editor of Pakistan Today has said a defamation case has been registered against the newspaper for a story regarding business tycoon Jehangir Siddiqui acquiring two banks.
In a note, Babar Nizami said JS Bank, owned by Jehangir Siddiqui, has filed a case of criminal defamation at a police station in Thatta, Sindh against the paper.
The story is regarding Jehangir Siddiqui’s bid to buy BankIslami, the alleged foul play, and the rivalry with another leading stockbroker Aqeel Karim Dhedi.
The story—Jehangir Siddiqui will soon own two more banks. Not everyone is happy—was filed by Babar and published in March this year.
“Criminal defamation cases, as discerning readers might already know, require the accused to be physically present during hearings and investigations, making them a more calculatedly tedious affair than the civil defamation case.”
He added that at a time when civilized societies are doing away with criminal defamation laws and making the matter entirely a civil matter, “we are still stuck with laws that are clearly a tool to suppress independent journalism.”
He asked: “Would we have liked the legal system not be granted against us, that too, more than a thousand miles away from our office in Lahore? Yes.”
However, Babar made it clear that the newspaper had no plans to change its journalism. “Would we do it all over again? Yes.”
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 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.
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.
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.
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.