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Posted by admin in Uncategorized on April 10th, 2025
The data show that a total of 800 Pakistani journalists have been murdered, 272 killed in crossfire/combat, and 152 have been killed on dangerous assignments since 1992, while 452 journalists have been forced into exile since 2010.
Jun 29, 2023 in Press Freedom
Journalists in Pakistan today face a wide array of safety risks due to the nature of their work. They contend with death threats, abduction, assault, violence and intimidation. Between 2002 and 2022, 90 journalists were killed in the country, including five last year alone, according to a UNESCO observatory report.
A culture of fear and self-censorship has become entrenched as a result, limiting coverage of critical issues such as human rights violations, corruption and political repression.
The poor state of press freedom in Pakistan presents an urgent need for action to protect and promote the work of journalists and civil society activists. Here’s what Pakistani journalists have to say about the risks they face.
Despite guarantees of freedom of speech, expression and the press in Pakistan’s constitution, legal and institutional barriers frequently prevent journalists from carrying out their duties.
According to Article 19 of the Constitution, press freedom is “subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by law” for reasons of national security, defense, or religion. Interpretations of the Article have led to limitations on press freedom for reasons of offending decency, morality, or the official religion, Islam.
Meanwhile, abductions, assaults, harassment, arbitrary arrests, and even killings of journalists have been on the rise. Pakistani authorities have also increased pressure on editors and media owners to silence voices critical of the government.
In October 2022, 49-year-old TV journalist Arshad Sharif, who reported critically on the Pakistani government, was shot and killed by police in Nairobi in what the police called a case of “mistaken identity.” Pakistani investigators determined it was a “planned assassination,” however. Sharif had been living in exile after fleeing the country to avoid being detained on charges of sedition. His family alleges that the government was involved in his murder.
In April 2023, Akash Ram, the marketing director at Bol Media Group, was kidnapped and remains in captivity today. As a member of Pakistan’s Hindu community, his kidnapping has sparked concerns about the country’s treatment of minority communities.
These attacks have impeded access to critical information for the Pakistani public, as journalists increasingly self-censor their reporting. This reality is especially consequential during ongoing political and economic crises, around which reliable information for the public is essential.
[Read more: In polarized Pakistan, a digital media startup aims to provide a middle ground]
Journalists across a diverse range of media affiliations and locations in Pakistan, such as Islamabad, Peshawar, Karachi, Hyderabad and Lahore, have expressed how a lack of press freedom has impacted their work.
For example, when reporting on a bombing in Landi Kotal that killed 26 people, Muhammad Qasim, a senior reporter from Ummat Newspaper in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, decided that we would not mention the group suspected to be behind the attack for fear them retailing against him. Despite his objections, however, Qasim’s editorial team published the story with attention-grabbing headlines that named the group.
“The consequences of their actions were swift and terrifying. I became the constant target of threats from organizations I had chosen not to name. I sought refuge within the walls of my office, fearful for my safety,” he said. “My life has been forever altered by a single manipulated headline.”
Harassment, violence and constant threats are frequent concerns for journalists in Balochistan, explained TV journalist Abdullah Magsi. “I have seen firsthand the difficulties and dangers that journalists in Balochistan face in their pursuit of press freedom,” he said “Our province is distinguished by a complex security situation, tribal dynamics and religious influences that frequently impede journalistic work. The lack of institutional support exacerbates the situation.”
More support and collaboration across sectors is needed to safeguard journalists, he added: “It is critical that the media industry, civil society and the government work together to address the challenges that journalists face in Balochistan.”
Journalists say that risks to their physical security are dictating what they choose to report. “It’s a never-ending battle against fear and intimidation,” said Imran Bhinder, a senior broadcast journalist from Pakistan’s Punjab province with Dawn News. “For my own and my family’s safety, I have made the difficult decision to refrain from reporting on contentious issues such as politics, crime, corruption and other sensitive topics.”
Hyderabad-based journalist Rauf Chandio added that media outlets prioritize commercial interests and frequently operate under state influence, limiting their ability to report freely. “The state’s media monopoly limits journalists’ independence and impedes their pursuit of objective reporting,” he said.
Journalists nevertheless remain dedicated to their work, despite the risks. “Fear for my family’s safety consumes my thoughts, but it does not deter me,” said Lala Mirza, a journalist from Sindh Province. “Aziz Memon and Arshad Sharif, for example, have paid the ultimate price for speaking out. Their sacrifices serve as a reminder of the dangers we face,” she said, referring to two prominent journalists killed for their reporting in recent years.
[Read more: Journalist of the month: Adnan Aamir]
A lack of political will in Pakistan to address journalist safety and insufficient government efforts to improve press freedom mean that journalists will likely continue to contend with the consequences of deteriorating press freedom going forward.
But journalists and activists have recommendations on how the situation can improve. “A commission of impartial judges should respond quickly to attacks on journalists and protect their rights,” suggested Mirza. “We need a safe environment for journalism to thrive and for those in power to be held accountable.”
Civil society also has a role to play, said Haseen Musarat, a social activist from Sindh. “I am adamant about the importance of civil society in preserving press freedom,” she said. “It is critical that we work together to advocate for genuine press freedom and to create an environment in which journalists can work without fear or undue influence.”
The prospects for improving press freedom in Pakistan depend on the combined efforts of the government, civil society, media organizations and journalists themselves. Only then will Pakistan’s media landscape truly reflect the country’s democratic aspirations and be able to provide citizens with the reliable information they need.
Photo by Hamid Roshaan on Unsplash.
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on April 10th, 2025
Published April 19, 2022
That the Taliban regime in Afghanistan has been displaying rude and disrespectful behaviour towards Pakistan is a fact. Issuing a ‘warning’ to a country that has done everything and anything that benefits the people of Afghanistan is a case in point. According to media reports, the Afghan Taliban interim government has warned Pakistan of “bad consequences”.
The Taliban’s government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid issued this ‘warning’ in a statement over the Twitter following Kabul summoned Pakistan’s Ambassador Mansoor Ahmad Khan to lodge its protest with Pakistan over the alleged airstrikes in Khost and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan.
The Taliban government is so ungrateful for everything Pakistan does. The interim Afghan government must refrain from displaying such unappreciative and ungracious behaviour. It has been allowing Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants to establish bases on the Afghan soil and use these safe havens against Pakistan. In other words, Taliban 2.0. is showing unwarranted belligerence against Pakistan.
Ahmed Bashir (Islamabad)
Reference:: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40168080/the-afghans-are-so-ungrateful-for-everything-we-do
Reference : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJnS86FVjTs ;
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on April 10th, 2025
‘Baloch are protesting against Modi’s statement while people in Kashmir are protesting against the policies of…
Protesters stage a rally in Chaman against Indian premier’s remarks on Balochistan. PHOTO: INP
QUETTA:Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent statement on Balochistan has sparked furious protests across the province with Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri accusing New Delhi of stoking terrorism in the volatile region.
On Thursday, civil society activists and different political organisations staged rallies in Dera Bugti, Lasbela, Naushki, Chaghai, Khuzdar, Naseerabad, Jaffarabad, Kohlu, Dera Allahyar, Dadhar, Sibi and Bolan among other cities of Balochistan.
Modi ‘crossed the red line’ when he mentioned Balochistan: Foreign Office
The protesters marched through the streets, condemning the Indian premier’s Independence Day diatribe against Pakistan, in which he claimed that the people of Balochistan and Azad Kashmir had thanked him for talking about them.
In Quetta, the Pakistan Workers Party workers took out a procession and marched through different roads before ending the protest in front of the Quetta Press Club.
The protesters also set fire to Indian flags to express their anger and shouted slogans against the Indian prime minister while demanding the federal government take up the issue on international forums.
Balochistan CM Zehri said the demonstrations and rallies were evidence that Balochistan’s people did not like whatever Modi had said about the province.
“The Baloch are protesting against Indian prime minister’s statement while people in Kashmir are protesting against the policies of India [as well],” he said. “Protests are taking place in Kashmir despite the imposition of curfew.”
Zehri said the Kashmir and Balochistan issues were entirely different as people of his province were in favour of Pakistan while people in Kashmir were resisting state-sponsored oppression.
He also castigated Brahamdagh Bugti, the self-exiled head of the banned Baloch Republican Party (BRP), for thanking Modi for taking up the issue of Balochistan.
Calling him a traitor, Zehri said Brahamdagh should have thought about the friends of his grandfather Nawab Akbar Bugti who had sacrificed for this country. “By saluting Modi, Brahamdagh has proved that he is a traitor,” Zehri told the media. “He saluted the man who is responsible for bloodshed in Balochistan.”
“Thousands of people resort to protest in Kashmir, but here, Brahamdagh or anyone who supports Indian intervention, cannot manage to assemble 50 people,” he added.
The CM said he had pointed out India’s support to terrorists in Balochistan earlier but no one had paid attention back then. The home minister, he said, had publicly announced the arrest of four terrorists who had confessed the Indian government was providing them financial assistance.
Balochistan terms Modi’s remarks confession of Indian meddling in province
“I have the evidence of RAW’s involvement in Balochistan, and whatever I say is based on evidence we have. RAW is providing training to the terrorists in Balochistan,” he continued,” and Brahamdagh wants to make us a slave of India which is not possible.”
Meanwhile, Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said the people of Balochistan had given a clear message to the Indian prime minister that he should think before making any statements about them.
While addressing a conference at Quetta Law College, he also seconded Zehri that India was behind the unrest in Balochistan.
The home minister said the politics of Brahamdagh was restricted to Facebook and he did not enjoy any support in Balochistan. “Brahamdagh has lost support even in Dera Bugti as the people took to the streets to condemn the statement of Modi,” he said.
“This is Balochistan where the people are patriotic and will go after every terrorist who wants to create problems,” Sarfaraz said. “This is not Bangladesh.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 19th, 2016.
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on April 10th, 2025
The “Taimur” is a Pakistani-developed air-launched cruise missile (ALCM), designed for stealthy, subsonic strikes against surface targets, including warships, and is an export variant of the RAAD-II ALCM, capable of carrying nuclear warheads and striking targets at a range of 600km.
Written byGlobal Defense Insight
The Taimur Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM), developed by Pakistan’s state-owned Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS) is a low observable, subsonic anti-surface weapon system. First unveiled at the IDEAS 2022, Taimur is a direct competitor to MBDA Storm-Shadow/SCALP and Roketsan SOM (Stand-off Missile) in the export market.
The Taimur Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) is an anti-ship, export variant of Pakistan’s nuclear-capable RAAD-II ALCM (600 km) optimized for deployment via fixed-wing aircraft for air-to-surface operations. It serves as both an anti-ship and land-attack cruise missile. Designed for stand-off engagements, it allows the launch platform to effectively engage distant targets up to 290 km.
Taimur is Equipped with an imaging infrared (IIR) seeker for high-accuracy terminal guidance. It is also capable of terrain-hugging and sea-skimming capabilities, enabling it to fly at low altitudes while hugging the terrain or skimming over the sea surface. Operating at low altitudes, it maintains stealth and stability at subsonic speeds throughout its cruise.
The missile’s advanced INS/GNSS guidance system, coupled with its low observability, allows it to penetrate sophisticated air defense networks with high precision and reduced chances of interception. Based on a modular design, it is the third variation of the RAAD series of missiles, which is a testament to its upgradability, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness in rapidly evolving warfare.
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on April 10th, 2025
With the acquisition of a fifth-generation stealth aircraft, Pakistan will effectively have a more technologically advanced air force. However, whether a cash-strapped Islamabad can afford to buy two different stealth fighters (the Chinese J-35 and the Turkish KAAN) remains to be seen.
Pakistan is acquiring the Chinese-made J-35A fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, marking China’s first export of a 5th-generation aircraft and a significant boost to Pakistan’s air power.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Generative AI is experimental.
With the acquisition of a fifth-generation stealth aircraft, Pakistan will effectively have a more technologically advanced air force. However, whether a cash-strapped Islamabad can afford to buy two different stealth fighters (the Chinese J-35 and the Turkish KAAN) remains to be seen.Jan 9, 2025
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