JournalismPakistan.com | Published July 13, 2022
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD—Prominent ARY News anchor Arshad Sharif has written a letter to President Dr. Arif Alvi highlighting the threats to his life.
He shared the Twitter posts of journalists, including Imran Riaz Khan, and Arif Hameed Bhatti, warning Sharif and other journalists of severe attacks.
In the letter, Sharif wrote: "As investigative journalist who was conferred Pride of Performance for Investigative Journalism by the State of Pakistan in 2019, I bring to your kind notice that an attempt is being made by certain unscrupulous elements to target and illegally restrain the undersigned from exercising rights and duties ensured by Article 4, Article 9, Article 10 A, Article 14, Article 18, Article 19 and 19 A of the Constitution of Pakistan."
"As a law-abiding citizen of Pakistan, I seek justice and protection of law to ensure my fundamental rights and fundamental rights of journalists and place information about grave threat to life and liberty to self and other journalists on the record."
"Based on credible information from reliable sources, I place it on record that discussions were held by certain 'unscrupulous elements' to involve the undersigned in false, bogus, fabricated criminal cases; to kidnap and make enforced disappearance or to beat the undersigned and other journalists."
He further highlighted: "As per my credible sources, the same planning has allegedly been done against other journalists including Arif Hameed Bhatti, Imran Riaz Khan, Sami Ibrahim, Sabir Shakir, Siddique Jan, Dr. Moeed Peerzada, Jameel Faruqi and a few others."
According to him, the threat to his life and fundamental rights is posed by elements whose nefarious designs were frustrated when the undersigned approached Islamabad High Court (IHC).
"The Honourable Chief Justice Islamabad High Court, Chief Justice Athar Minhallah provided the undersigned protection of law against attempts to illegally arrest the undersigned in bogus, malicious FIRs in the following words in Order Dated 23/05/2022 in W.P 1812/2022 titled Arshad Sharif and 2 Others Versus Federation of Pakistan, etc," he further maintained.
"The petitioners are aggrieved because they assert that multiple criminal cases have been registered against them throughout the country pursuant to complaints made by private citizens. In response to a query, they have stated that no complaint has been filed by any organ or institution of the State nor by the respective governments."
"The learned counsels have stated that registration of multiple criminal cases violate the fundamental rights of the petitioners and their right to liberty. The learned counsels have further stated that it is likely that other criminal cases may also be registered against the petitioners for other than bonafide reasons."
"The petitioners are engaged in the profession of journalism and the criminal cases have been registered in the context of their speech. They have no criminal record. It appears to the Court that, prima facie, the petitioners have reasonable grounds to believe that criminal cases have been registered for other than bonafide reasons," continued Sharif.
The anchor also reminded the IHC's specific orders in this regard and stated the instructions in his letter, "The Inspector General of Police Islamabad Capital Territory and the Deputy Commissioner, Islamabad Capital Territory are directed not to curtail the liberty of the petitioners not hand them over to officials of other provinces without seeking permission from the Court."
The journalist also mentioned that the president wrote a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding the grave threat to journalists.
Through his letter, Sharif sought to ensure protection for his fundamental rights and those of other journalists facing threats across the country.
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.