Tarar criticizes TRT World over Karachi attack terminology

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 30 June 2026 |  JP Staff Report

Information Minister Ataullah Tarar criticized TRT World for calling those behind the June 27 Karachi Rangers attack 'militants', arguing the assault targeted security personnel and caused deaths, and that such perpetrators should be described as 'terrorists'.

Summary

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan's Information Minister Ataullah Tarar has criticized Turkish broadcaster TRT World for describing the assailants behind the recent attack on a Rangers facility in Karachi as "militants," arguing that they should instead be referred to as "terrorists."

In a post on X on Tuesday, Tarar said there was an "unfortunate trend" of using the term "militants" for those responsible for attacks that kill civilians and security personnel. Referring to TRT World's reporting on the June 27 attack in Karachi, he wrote that "terrorists are terrorists, they have no caste, colour, creed or religion," adding that "terrorists must not be called by any other name."

Minister challenges editorial wording

The criticism follows the June 27 assault on a Sindh Rangers facility in Karachi's Gulistan-e-Jauhar area. Pakistani authorities said attackers used an explosives-laden vehicle and gunfire against the installation, killing three Rangers personnel and injuring several others. Security forces said they killed three attackers and captured another suspect during the operation. Pakistani officials identified the alleged attackers as members of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a militant group they blame for the assault.

Tarar specifically objected to TRT World's use of the word "militants" in its reporting, arguing that the attack should be described as an act of terrorism because it targeted security personnel and resulted in fatalities. His comments reflect the Pakistani government's longstanding position that groups carrying out such attacks should be identified as terrorists rather than by broader descriptive terms.

Debate over terminology

The terminology used by news organizations to describe armed groups has long been debated within journalism. Many international news organizations, including Reuters, the Associated Press, and the BBC, generally prefer neutral descriptive language such as "militant," "armed group," or "gunmen" unless attributing the designation "terrorist" to governments, courts, or other official sources. The approach is intended to avoid adopting politically or legally contested labels while accurately reporting official positions.

TRT World, launched in 2015 by Turkey's state broadcaster Turkish Radio and Television Corporation, is an English-language international news channel based in Istanbul. It covers global affairs, politics, and current events for an international audience.

WHY THIS MATTERS: The dispute highlights the continuing debate over language in conflict reporting and the editorial standards news organizations apply when covering violence. For journalists and media organizations, word choice can shape audience perception and often becomes a point of contention between governments seeking specific terminology and newsrooms adhering to independent editorial guidelines.

ATTRIBUTION: Reporting by JournalismPakistan, based on publicly available statements by Ataullah Tarar on X (June 30, 2026) and reporting by Reuters and Dawn published on June 27-30, 2026.

PHOTO: AI-generated; for illustrative purposes only.