JournalismPakistan.com | Published October 20, 2021
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD—Many leading journalists have come to the defense of anchorperson Asma Sherazi and called for ending the online campaign of harassment against her.
Dawn’s Resident Editor Fahd Husain condemned the PTI for launching the campaign and asked the party’s leadership to stop it. “The online harassment of widely-respected award-winning journalist @asmashirazi by the official Twitter account of ruling party @PTIofficial & various party officials is deplorable & condemnable. Party leadership should put a stop to this immediately.”
It led to hashtag Istandwithasmashirazi.
Umer Cheema of The News rejected the trolling. “Trolling of @asmashirazi being done by cabinet members and through fake and PTI accounts is outrightly REJECTED. I stand with #asmashirazi.”
In her article on bbcurdu.com, Asma hinted that superstitions and magical practices influence the decisions of the Prime Minister House.
Murtaza Solangi, a former head of Radio Pakistan, also extended support for Asma. “What else could you expect from the cabal of clowns put in place except abusing all and sundry? It is only natural for the cowards to abuse the courageous journalists like #AsmaShirazi as that is all they are programmed to do.”
Journalist Asmatullah Niazi maintained that PTI is the only party that believes in trolling female journalists as a policy. “I think @PTIofficial is the only party, officially as part of its policy harassing and trolling woman journalists and using its official Twitter handle, which is condemned .#asmashirazi.”
However, many tweets harshly criticized Asma and branded her as a supporter of PMLN and one who openly asks the army to take over. Others called her “a Pathological liar and hypocrite.”
Azaz Syed of Geo News maintained a difference of opinion with Asma’s writing is everybody’s democratic right but launching an online campaign against her is condemnable.
Photo: Twitter (@asmashirazi)
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.