President Arif Alvi has a new press secretary

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 3 years ago

ISLAMABAD—Qamar Bashir, a senior officer of Information Group, has been appointed as the new press secretary to President Dr. Arif Alvi (pictured).

According to Daily Jang, notification of his appointment has been issued, and he assumed new responsibilities in the presidency on Monday.

Previously, Bashir served in the external publicity wing of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and other positions elsewhere.

Photo: Twitter (@ArifAlviUpdates)

Dive Deeper

Benazir Shah targeted by AI video as Shahzeb Khanzada faces backlash

November 17, 2025: Benazir Shah condemns AI harassment while Shahzeb Khanzada faces sharp criticism for agenda-driven coverage, raising questions about ethics and accountability in Pakistani journalism.

Shahzeb Khanzada, Shahbaz Gill clash intensifies on X

November 17, 2025: A heated exchange between Shahzeb Khanzada and Shahbaz Gill on X escalates after a viral mall confrontation involving a member of the public, underscoring rising hostility and polarization in Pakistan’s media sphere.

Viral video shows Shahzeb Khanzada harassed in public

November 16, 2025: Geo News anchor Shahzeb Khanzada was verbally harassed in a viral video while shopping. A fellow journalist condemns the attack and calls for respect and media safety.

Amar Guriro joins Saga Digital AI after leaving Independent Urdu

November 16, 2025: Pakistani environmental journalist Amar Guriro leaves Independent Urdu after seven years to become Editor-in-Chief at Saga Digital AI, marking a major shift toward AI-driven journalism.

Fahd Husain back to writing column at Express Tribune

November 16, 2025: Fahd Husain returns to writing his Sunday column at The Express Tribune and is planning a new English-language channel under Express Media Group.

Najam Sethi quits Samaa TV for Dunya TV move

November 16, 2025: Prominent analyst Najam Sethi has left Samaa TV after two years and joined Dunya TV, marking another shift in Pakistan’s dynamic broadcast media landscape.

Dawn’s AI gaffe highlights challenges, not the collapse of journalism

November 13, 2025: Dawn’s AI blunder sparks debate, but experts say it reflects newsroom challenges and independence, not a crisis of journalism in Pakistan.

Dawn apologizes after AI editing prompt mistakenly published in business story

November 12, 2025: Dawn apologizes after an AI editing prompt mistakenly appeared in a business story, prompting debate on newsroom AI use and media credibility in Pakistan.

Newsroom

Remembering Javed Iqbal Jaidi: A life of integrity and friendship

November 17, 2025 Tariq Anwaar recalls Javed Iqbal Jaidi, a free-spirited Pakistani journalist known for integrity, friendship, and decades of contributions to media coverage and journalism.

RSF awards spotlight rising threats to Asian journalists

November 16, 2025 RSF’s latest Press Freedom Awards highlight escalating risks for journalists across Asia, drawing global attention to detentions, crackdowns, and worsening conditions for independent reporting.

Podcasting rises as South Asia’s new news frontier

November 16, 2025 Podcasting is transforming how audiences in South Asia consume news, offering mobility, depth, and independence as traditional media face pressure and digital habits rapidly evolve.

Nigeria jails journalists amid cybercrime law concerns

November 15, 2025 Three Nigerian journalists are detained under the Cybercrime Act despite 2024 reforms, raising concerns for press freedom ahead of the 2027 elections.

Sami Hamdi returns to UK following U.S. detention over Gaza comments

November 14, 2025 British commentator Sami Hamdi returns to the UK after a U.S. visa cancellation and detention during a Gaza speaking tour, highlighting free speech and press freedom concerns.