JournalismPakistan.com | Published August 11, 2020
Join our WhatsApp channel
Abbas Ali Jutt, a journalist affiliated with Daily Sahafat and general secretary of Okara Union of Journalist, was attacked in Okara district, Punjab, on August 8, 2020.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its Pakistan affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), urge Pakistan authorities to launch an investigation into the attack and reprimand the guilty.
Jutt was attacked when he was returning home at 9:00 pm by a local drug dealer. The attack is thought to be concerning the journalist’s social media post about drug sellers in the district.
According to the PFUJ, the assailants tried to abduct him, but the journalist managed to flee with help from his friends. The journalist sustained injuries all over his body.
Jutt reported the incident to Okara district police immediately, enabling the police to assist in his rescue. The police also registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the assailants. The assailants, reported to have political backing, are yet to be arrested.
Pakistan is one of the most dangerous countries for journalists, with frequent incidents of killing, detainment, attacks, threats, censorship, and harassment.
On July 23, journalist Anwar Jan Barkhan was shot dead in Balochistan. On July 22, Shikh Shan, a correspondent for Express Newsgroup, was attacked, and senior journalist Matiullah Jan was abducted on July 21.
The PFUJ said: “The PFUJ strongly condemn the attack on journalist Jutt and urges the police to arrest the attackers to bring them to justice. We remind the government of Pakistan to provide security to the working journalists so that they continue to unearth the social evils.”
The IFJ said: “The IFJ denounces the organised attack against the journalist and urges police to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure all journalists, including Abbas Ali Jutt, are able to continue their work without any fear.”—IFJ media release
November 28, 2024: Senior journalist Matiullah Jan has been abducted in Islamabad while investigating PTI protest deaths. Rights lawyers have filed a habeas corpus petition as charges of drug possession and terrorism spark outrage.
May 26, 2022: PTI supporters attack Jang/Geo offices in Islamabad & other cities amid D-Chowk protests—DSNG vans damaged, stones hurled amid anti-media slogans. Political-media tensions escalate.
May 16, 2022: Journalist Zahid Abbas Malik disappears in Lahore amid suspected agency involvement. PFUJ, press clubs demand action as nationwide protests loom over Pakistan's press freedom crisis.
April 30, 2022: DawnNews anchor Adil Shahzeb faces death threats & harassment, allegedly from PTI leaders. Journalists rally behind him as #JournalismIsNotACrime trends. Details on the escalating media safety crisis.
April 17, 2022: PTI supporters harass journalists, including women reporters, at Imran Khan's Karachi rally. Samaa TV's Zam Zam Saeed shares footage of abuse—cameraman injured, shirts torn. Media outcry grows.
March 15, 2022: Haripur Press Club President Zakir Tanoli attacked by masked assailants—struck with knives and pistol butts after chili powder assault. Journalists demand immediate action.
February 16, 2022: FIA arrests journalist Mohsin Jamil Baig after Islamabad raid over alleged cybercrime violations. The incident followed Murad Saeed's complaint under PECA 2016. Details on the confrontation and charges.
February 15, 2022: ARY News host Iqrar ul Hassan was allegedly tortured by security officials in Karachi after exposing an IB inspector's corruption. Hospitalized in critical condition—details on the attack and media freedom concerns.
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.