Crackdown on journalists raises press freedom concerns in Pakistan

April 1, 2025

HRRC strongly condemns the crackdown on press freedom in Pakistan, including arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances of journalists under vague cybercrime laws. We urge authorities to release detained journalists and uphold the right to free expression.

Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of democratic societies. Yet, recent events in Pakistan, such as the arrests of Farhan Mallick and Waheed Murad, have raised serious concerns over the shrinking space for independent journalism. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested several journalists under contentious cybercrime legislation, drawing outrage from press freedom activists. These examples highlight an emerging trend of intimidation and legal action against journalists who are seen to be critical of the establishment.

One of the most alarming cases is that of journalist Waheed Murad, a journalist who was forcibly taken from his Islamabad home by masked men on March 26. Journalist Shinza Nawaz, his wife told how black-uniformed trespassers broke into their home, attacked her mother, and took away their phones and documents. Later, Murad faced charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) sections 9, 10, 20, and 26-A for allegedly disseminating false material that incited hatred among government officials. A court granted the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) a two-day physical remand while Murad’s family filed a petition for his recovery, naming key government officials as respondents. On March 28, Murad was granted bail by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) from prison after a bail bond of 20,000 rupees ($72).

Another high-profile case involves Farhan Mallick, who was arrested in Karachi on March 20. Mallick was first accused of disseminating "anti-state" content under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), but he was later linked to a different fraud case. The FIA claimed that a call center involved in fraudulent activities was linked to Mallick, with detained suspects alleging they worked under his direction. However, his attorney has rejected these accusations as an attempt to prolong his imprisonment. He was placed under judicial remand until his bail hearing on March 27 after the FIA requested an extension of his physical arrest, but the judge denied the request.

Mallick’s arrest and subsequent legal proceedings have fueled concerns over the misuse of PECA, a law originally intended to combat cybercrime but increasingly being used to target journalists. After his YouTube channel was suspected of spreading false information and inciting public unrest, the FIA raided his office and confiscated his computer and USB drive. This instance fits into a broader pattern where journalists who criticize the government face protracted imprisonment and legal persecution.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and other human rights organizations have voiced their grave worry over these developments. According to CPJ and other advocacy organizations, such acts jeopardize the democratic values of independent media and free speech. Journalist organizations around Pakistan have protested the growing use of PECA to punish dissent because they believe it is being used to silence the press rather than to protect the public interest.

Glossary

Accusations – Claims that someone has done something wrong or illegal.
Allegedly – Said to have happened but not yet proven.
Attorney – A lawyer.
Bail bond – an agreement to pay the court if a criminal defendant fails to meet the terms of conditional release from custody.
Bail hearing – A court session to decide if a person in custody can be released before trial.
Call Center – A place where customer service or telemarketing calls are handled.
Confiscated – Taken away by authorities as punishment or for investigation.
Contentious – Causing argument or disagreement.
Cornerstone – A basic or essential part of something.
Dissent – Disagreement with official or majority opinion.
Disseminating – Spreading information widely.
Extension – More time given to complete something.
Fraudulent – Done to cheat or deceive people.
Inciting – Encouraging or urging someone to do something bad.
Intended – Planned or meant to happen.
Intimidation – The act of frightening or threatening someone.
Jeopardize – To put something at risk of harm or loss.
Judicial remand – Sending someone to jail while waiting for trial.
Outrage – A strong feeling of anger or shock.
Persecution – Mistreatment, often because of beliefs or identity.
Petition – A formal request to an authority, usually in writing.
Prolong – To make something last longer.
Protracted – Lasting for a long time, often longer than expected.
Raided – Entered a place suddenly, usually by police, to search for something illegal.
Shrinking – Becoming smaller in size or importance.
Subsequent – Happening after something else.
Suspected – Believed to be guilty or involved in something wrong.
Trespassers – People who enter a place without permission.

Sources

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Crackdown on journalists raises press freedom concerns in Pakistan

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