Dawn editor calls on IHC to drop contempt charges against Ansar Abbasi

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published December 31, 2021

ISLAMABAD—On Friday, Zaffar Abbas, editor of Dawn, asked the Islamabad High Court to review its decision to bring in contempt of court charges against Ansar Abbasi for his story on the affidavit of a former Gilgit-Baltistan judge.

In his tweet, Abbas said that if he had got the affidavit, he would have done the same story. "Honourable Justice Athar Minallah, pls review yr decision to charge journalists like @AnsarAAbbasi for contempt. Sir, journalism is not a crime. If I had access to this affidavit, I would have done exactly what Ansar did—do a story after proper verification of its authenticity."
Abbas is the latest addition to the number of journalists calling on the IHC to drop its contempt proceedings.

Reporters Without Border has called for dropping the charges against the two newspaper journalists and the owner for publishing a former judge's leaked affidavit revealing alleged judicial collusion to deny bail to leading opposition politicians who were jailed on the eve of the 2018 general elections.

However, the issue has also divided journalists.

Arshad Sharif hit back at Abbas. In a tweet in Urdu, he said, "This is the editor of Dawn. In simple words he is saying if somebody gives an affidavit that Modi (Indian Prime Minister) publishes Dawn from Delhi, then he (Abbas) would simply ask the person about the affidavit and would publish it. There was mudslinging against IHC and an honourable judge who was not in the country was made controversial."

Earlier, television presenter Mubasher Zaidi questioned journalist Mazhar Abbas' call for dropping charges against Abbasi. In his tweet, Zaidi asked: "Mazhar bhai with all due respect did the reporter contact the affected party? Journalistic ethics demand that he should have. Plus an affidavit until submitted in the court has no value."

In his tweet, Mazhar said a journalist should not be punished for doing his job. "Charge the journalist for not doing his job, don't charge him for doing his job. The prime responsibility of a reporter is to give the news after verification. If any reporter has checked it before giving the news he can't be charge for responsible journalism."

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?