JournalismPakistan.com | Published December 11, 2018
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD - Several prominent journalists on Tuesday took to Twitter to comment on the arrest of PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafiq (pictured) and his brother in a graft case in Lahore.
For Talat Hussain, “The second phase of unraveling the Muslim League N is underway. Now you should understand why the next 6 months media is supposed to ONLY report official truth.”
The second phase of unravelling the Muslim League N is underway. Now you should understand why the next 6 months media is supposed to ONLY report official truth. https://t.co/PBcpdpidau
— Syed Talat Hussain (@TalatHussain12) December 11, 2018
In an earlier tweet, he said the current minister for railways had talked about the arrest of his predecessor. “Shaikh Rashid is proven right again. Salman, Saad in NAB custody explains his statement last week that before March ‘Brooming’ will be done - a reference to political cleaning in the name of accountability.”
Dawn columnist Khurram Husain painted a gloomy scenario. “To where all opposition is jailed, media gagged, dissent silenced and a govt that is unable to run things.”
To where all opposition is jailed, media gagged, dissent silenced and a govt that is unable to run things. https://t.co/1yMwKyWFQ4
— Khurram Husain (@KhurramHusain) December 11, 2018
Abbas Nasir, a former editor of Dawn, said the arrest proves that NAB is being used as a weapon against the opposition. “In line with its tradition, NAB is acting as the most lethal weapon for hounding political opponents of the military-backed government. Where will all this oppression lead to?”
He also maintained that an effort is being made to create a one-party state in Pakistan. “The PTI government & its powerful mily and intel backers seem determined to create a one-party state with perfunctory respect for freedoms, rights. If this can't be effectively resisted, we should prepare for an era worse than Zia's as he didn't have a Youth League like PTI has.”
However, Sabir Shakir, Bureau Chief of ARY TV, in his tweet in Urdu made fun of the former PMLN minister’s speech in which he termed PMLN lohay ka chanay.
Mubashir Zaidi, one of the hosts of talk show Zara Hut Kay on DawnNews, simply added: “Sherrrr....ek wari ferr dherrr.”
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.
April 03, 2025: Veteran journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah has joined Discover Pakistan Television as the Head of Programming. With 25 years of experience in leading news organizations, he looks forward to contributing to quality storytelling and content.
April 02, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the visit of a group of Pakistani journalists to Israel, calling it a violation of journalistic ethics and a betrayal of press freedom and human rights. PFUJ demands a transparent investigation into the matter.
March 30, 2025: Dawn criticizes Pakistan’s plan to use TV dramas against extremism, highlighting financial and digital challenges. Can media alone solve deep-rooted issues?
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.
March 28, 2025 Turkey deports BBC journalist Mark Lowen over 'public order' threat and fines opposition TV channels covering Istanbul Mayor's arrest. Critics condemn crackdown on press freedom amid rising political tensions.