JournalismPakistan.com | Published June 19, 2020
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD—As the Supreme Court on Friday quashed the presidential reference against Justice Qazi Faez Isa, journalists took to Twitter to criticize the PTI government.
In a tweet, former Dawn journalist Cyril Almeida asked: “Heads will roll?”
In a tweet Urdu, Mansoor Ali Khan of Express-News statistically said: “I also did not get good judiciary,” hitting at the argument that Prime Minister Imran Khan did not get a good team.
Talat Hussain, formerly of Geo News, said the judiciary made history on Friday. “Supreme Court makes history. Knocks out a farcial reference against Justice Faez Isa. Now comes the more interesting part. President Alvi, Prime Minister Imran, Ferogh Naseem, Shehzad Akbar, x AG Mansoor and Dogar who filed the application now stand together—in the dock, naked.”
Analyst Mosharraf Zaidi thought that the verdict against the government would make no difference to it, adding that the PTI government is used to such “slaps.”
Mubashir Zaidi of DawnNews TV, in a tweet in Urdu, thought that there was an earthquake in Aabpara, hinting the military establishment has been defeated.
Geo News presenter Hamid Mir termed it a victory for the independence of the judiciary. “Finally Supreme Court of Pakistan rejected reference against #JusticeQaziFaezIs a great victor for independent judiciary and a defeat of those who tried to humiliate a judge just because he wrote a bold decision in Faizabad Dharna case now #StopFightingwithjudiciary.”
The best future course for Farogh Nasim is not to return to the federal cabinet. It would also serve as a face saver for the PM.
— Muhammad Ziauddin (@MuhammadZiauddi) June 19, 2020
Veteran journalist Muhammad Ziauddin asked Farogh Nasim, who represented the government in the case, not to return to the federal cabinet. Nasim gave up his law ministry to represent the government. “The best future course for Farogh Nasim is not to return to the federal cabinet. It would also serve as a face saver for the PM.”
Fahd Hussain, a resident editor of Dawn, termed the verdict a huge defeat for the PTI government. “A massive defeat for the govt. May have consequences far and beyond.”
A massive defeat for the govt. May have consequences far and beyond https://t.co/HILfGmu6Ln
— Fahd Husain (@Fahdhusain) June 19, 2020
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.