Taliban raid Enikaas TV head's home

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published August 21, 2021

Armed Taliban militants raided the house of Zalmai Lotfi, the head of Enikaas TV, on August 20. The International Federation of Journalists and its Afghanistan affiliate the Afghanistan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA) have condemned the attack and called on Taliban leaders to respect the media.

 According to the AIJA, Taliban militants raided the home of Zalmai at around 10 am, searched for him, and took away his car and other office equipment. It is reported that Taliban seized weapons from his house. According to AIJA, Zalmai had earlier gone into hiding fearing the possibility of an attack against him.

 Despite conciliatory messages toward respect for press freedom by Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid during his first press conference on August 17, intimidation, house searches, and attacks on journalists and media are continuing behind the scenes.

Taliban militants were reported as conducting search operations in homes of at least three employees of German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) and a freelance journalist and interpreter on August 18.

The same day, Ariana TV cameraperson Mahmoud Naimi and Pajhwok News cameraperson Babrak Amirzadeh reported being beaten up by Taliban militants in Jalalabad, in Nangarhar province while attempting to report on a protest against the Taliban takeover.

On August 15, Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) news anchor Khadija Amin and news presenter Shabnam Dawran were both removed from their posts and taken off air by the Taliban. A confidential United Nations document says the Taliban is currently intensifying the search for people who have worked with the US and/or NATO forces.

Enikass TV has been frequently targeted for its reporting over the past year. On March 2, 2021, female media workers Mursal Wahidi, Sadia Sadat, and Shahnaz Roafi from Enikass TV were shot dead by unknown gunmen in two separate attacks as they attempted to return home from work.  On December 10, 2020, Malala Maiwand, a female TV anchor for Enikass TV and Radio, was killed by gunmen in Nangarhar. Enikaas TV already shifted its operations from Ningharhar to Kabul due to constant security threats on July 11, 2021, but it has now halted its broadcasts

 IFJ affiliates from around the world are continuing to send messages of solidarity and support to their colleagues in Afghanistan amid the chaos of the country’s fall to the Taliban on August 16.

 The AIJA said: “These attacks are not only an attack on freedom of expression, but also a horrific act against media community and other citizens. The AIJA leadership believes that if such threats are not stopped, the work of the media and media personnel will be impossible.”

The IFJ said: “The unfolding reports of attacks on journalists and media workers suggest the conclusion that there is clearly no room to believe the rhetoric of Taliban leaders. The fear and anxiety of the media community and the global community of media workers is clearly justified. The IFJ urges the international community to take heed of these attacks and act quickly to evacuate the journalists most at risk.”- IFJ media release/Representational photo

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?