Ayaz Amir says an official had warned him before the attack

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published July 04, 2022

ISLAMABAD—Veteran journalist Ayaz Amir Monday said he was threatened and forewarned by an intelligence agency official before the attack on him in Lahore last week.

Speaking on Hamid Mir's talk show—Capital Talk—Amir narrated how he was approached by the official and asked to be moderate in his criticism.

"Last week, a guest, who took a prior appointment, came to meet me. He came to meet me at the inn where I normally stay in Lahore," he said.

"He told me which agriculture or irrigation department he belongs to," Amir said about the intelligence agency. "We had a pleasant meeting. Only at the end, he said, and these are his words I am quoting. I am here only to request that you should be moderate in your criticism (haath hola rakha karain)." 

The visitor pointed upwards when Amir asked him against whom he should be moderate in his criticism. "I am alive to the sensitiveness of your program, and I don't want to say much," Amir said as Hamid Mir chuckled. 

This meeting, according to Amir, was before the seminar in Islamabad. "When my speech at the seminar concluded, and I was still at the Marriott, that same gentleman's message arrived, saying Sir, you did not heed my words." 

However, Amir said that after an hour, the gentleman sent another message, saying, "I have seen and read your speech and found it balanced." 

Amir, who was attacked following his speech at the seminar, said his mobile phone was taken away during the assault on him. "Two days back when I got the phones back. Only the number and the two or three messages of the gentleman were missing from the phone. That is what I wanted to tell you."

Sindhi journalist AD Shar brutally murdered, PFUJ declares three-day mourning

 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.

AJK government registers case against newspaper and staff

 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.

Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges FIA threats, possible arrest over reporting

 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.

Noorani’s missing brothers: Court orders IG to produce individuals

 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.

Journalist Farhan Mallick granted bail

 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.

Ghulam Abbas Shah joins Discover Pakistan as Head of Programming

 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.

PFUJ condemns Pakistani journalists' visit to Israel as an ethical violation

 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.

Can films fight terrorism? Dawn raises doubts

 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?