Islamabad [Pakistan], November 2 (ANI): The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has expressed deep concern over the worsening state of press freedom in Pakistan, condemning the growing violence, censorship, and economic insecurity faced by media professionals in the country, Dawn reported on Sunday.
According to the report, the remarks followed a high-level meeting between a delegation of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and IFJ President Dominique Pradalie and Secretary General Anthony Bellanger at the headquarters of the Syndicat National des Journalistes (SNJ) in Paris.
The discussions centered on what the IFJ described as an “escalating crisis” for journalists in Pakistan. The IFJ leaders voiced alarm over the targeted killings of journalists, misuse of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) to file cases against media workers, harassment by both state and non-state actors, undeclared censorship, forced layoffs, and widespread non-payment of salaries, Dawn reported.
Calling the situation deeply troubling, Pradalie and Bellanger urged Pakistan’s President, Prime Minister, and Chief Justice to intervene immediately, warning that continued inaction could lead the IFJ to appeal to the United Nations for international attention.
The PFUJ delegation—comprising Secretary General Shakeel Ahmed, Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists President Tariq Usmani, and Foreign Committee Head Waseem Shahzad Qadri—briefed the IFJ officials on the challenges confronting journalists on the ground, according to the report.
In a joint statement, the IFJ leaders condemned the “unlawful” use of PECA against journalists, demanded the withdrawal of politically motivated cases, and called for stronger laws to safeguard press freedom and prosecute those responsible for attacks on media professionals.
They also criticized what they termed “undeclared censorship” imposed by government institutions, describing it as unconstitutional and undemocratic.
Highlighting the wave of layoffs and unpaid wages affecting hundreds of journalists, the IFJ officials urged Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to introduce urgent reforms to halt what they called the “economic massacre” of media workers.
The federation reaffirmed its solidarity with the PFUJ and announced that the issue of press freedom in Pakistan would be added to the agenda of the upcoming IFJ Congress.
Pradalie and Bellanger also expressed concern over alleged death threats made against PFUJ President Rana Muhammad Azeem and other journalists, Dawn reported. (ANI)
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