FN Threat Data Analysis – June 2025
Two journalists faced attempts to murder while 10 others experienced other cases, including arrest, detention, legal action, censorship, attack on property and threat of harm, during June 2025 across Pakistan.
These cases were categorized as follows:
Attempt to Murder (Survived Assassination Attempt)
Arrest (Based on Case/FIR/Formal Accusation)
Detention (Based on Suspicion/Without Formal Case)
Actual Legal Action (Defamation, FIR, Charges Filed)
Censorship
Attack on Property
Threat of Harm (Verbal/Non-Murder Related)
Threat of legal Action
These incidents were reported through Pakistan Press Club Safety Hubs Network, a program FN is managing since 2016. In collaboration with the eight largest press clubs — Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Quetta, Islamabad, Peshawar, Muzaffarabad and Gilgit— the program monitors and documents violations against media, its practitioners, and media workers while providing essential support to journalists at risks.
Attempt to Murder
Journalist: Shahid Ali – President, Faisalabad Press Club
Threat Actor: Unknown Actor
Incident Summary:
On June 6, 2025, Shahid Ali narrowly escaped a targeted gun attack outside his residence in Faisalabad. Two unidentified assailants on a motorcycle opened fire at him as he arrived home. The bullets struck his house gate, and Shahid Ali managed to run inside his home to save his life. The attack occurred weeks after he resisted efforts by law enforcement and intelligence personnel to gain access to journalists’ WhatsApp groups and press club activities. He had also terminated the contract of a press club contractor allegedly linked to intelligence agencies and reported receiving threatening calls prior to the attack.
Threat Developments:
A FIR was registered by local police, but no arrests have been made. Shahid Ali has identified the attackers as unmasked and visible. The case has drawn strong condemnation from journalist unions demanding accountability.
Attempt to Murder
Journalist: Rana Imran Latif- Editor, Daily Urdu Times
Threat Actor: Unknown gunmen
Incident Summary:
On June 19, 2025, journalist Rana Imran Latif narrowly survived a gun attack in F-7 Markaz, Islamabad. Unidentified attackers opened fire on his car shortly after he published investigative reports exposing illegal Sheesha cafés and underground clubs allegedly involved in drug distribution. The bullets hit the vehicle, but Latif escaped unhurt. His newsroom colleagues link the attack directly to his reporting on these illicit activities.
Threat Developments:
A FIR was registered, but no suspects were arrested. Journalist unions condemned the incident and called for immediate protection for reporters covering sensitive stories.
Arrest (based on case/FIR/formal accusation)
Journalist: Muhammad Akram Alias Bijli – Correspondent, Daily Khabrain, Multan
Threat Actor: State Actor
Incident Summary:
On June 23, 2024, Muhammad Akram was arrested in Muzaffargarhafter publishing a report exposing multi million rupeee corruption involving a contractor and a sub-engineer. He had also shared the report in a WhatsApp group. In response, the Assistant Commissioner allegedly had a FIR registered under PECA law at Sheher Sultan Police Station.
Threat Developments:
Muhammad Akram was presented before court the next day, where the judge ordered his immediate release due to lack of evidence. His arrest sparked strong protests from local journalists in Muzaffargarh.
Detention (based on suspicion/without formal case)
Journalist: Fayyaz Tufail, Managing Editor, Daily South, Punjab
Threat Actor: State Actor
Incident Summary:
On May 20, 2024, Fayyaz Tufail was arrested by police allegedly in retaliation for reporting against an influential woman. He was earlier booked under the PECA Act on December 27, 2024. Despite obtaining interim bail, he was picked up without notice and handed over to the FIA after being moved between police stations. His valuables were confiscated, and a second PECA case was registered against him.
Threat Developments:
Fayyaz Tufail remained in jail for 24 days before securing bail.
Threat of legal action (by private party or state – law related)
Journalist: Fayyaz Ali Noor – Founder, Fan Media Network
Threat Actor: State Actor
Incident Summary:
On June 17, 2025, Fayyaz Ali Noor published a report on fake driving licenses linked to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Transport Department. Although the report did not name specific officials, it was interpreted by the DC as “damaging.” A Rs. 10 million defamation notice was served on Fayyaz Ali via WhatsApp, accusing him of “spreading false information” and “demanding an apology.”
Threat Developments:
No formal legal proceedings had begun at the time of reporting. Fayyaz Ali maintains his sources are credible and says he is prepared to defend the report in court.
Threat of harm (non-murder related)
Journalist: Mohsin Adeel – President, Layyah Press Club
Threat Actor: State Actor
Incident Summary:
Mohsin Adeel reported being threatened and obstructed in his professional work by Layyah Police after he supported fellow journalists at the Press Club. He was summoned repeatedly and pressured to submit false applications. He filed a petition in the Lahore High Court’s Multan Bench to challenge the harassment.
Threat Developments:
Justice Sadiq Mahmood Khurram ruled in favor of Mohsin Adeel, directing the Justice of Peace not to proceed with case registration without hearing his objections.
Digital threats (harassment, censorship, retaliation for professional speech)
Journalist: Rifaqat Ullah Razarwal, – Host, Akhbari SarTaki (FM 93)
Threat Actor: State Actors
Incident Summary:
On June 3, 2025, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority ordered suspension of Rifaqat Ullah Razarwal’s current affairs program despite no content-related violation. The real reason, allegedly, was Razarwal’s criticism of a directive circulated by intelligence agencies asking journalists to delete political content from digital platforms.
Threat Developments:
The station submitted recordings to PEMRA showing no anti-state material. The action is being viewed as censorship for professional dissent. Rifaqat Ullah continues to contest the decision.
Attack on Property
Journalist: Laiba Zainab, Crime Reporter, Nukta TV
Threat Actor: Unknown individuals
Incident Summary:
On June 9, 2025, Laiba Zainab returned to her residence in Muslim Town, Lahore, to find her door lock broken and home ransacked. Although the FIR was filed under theft-related sections of the PPC, Laiba, who regularly reports on crime and sensitive issues, suspects the act may have been intended to intimidate her.
Threat Developments:
No suspects have been identified.
Threat of harm (non-murder related)
Journalist: Pir Muhammad Kakar – Correspondent, Daily Jang,
Threat Actor: State Actor
Incident Summary:
On June 25, 2025,Pir Muhammad Kakar was reportedly intercepted inside the premises of Civil Hospital, Loralai, by Medical Superintendent Dr. Anwar Mandokhel.Dr. Anwar Mandokhel allegedly warned Muhammad kakr to stop reporting on the hospital or face consequences.
Threat Developments:
Muhammad Kakar has publicly maintained his right to report and is pursuing legal support. The accused denies wrongdoing, claiming bias against hospital staff.
Threat of harm (non-murder related)
Journalist: Sardar Adnan, Investigative Reporter, Media Voice
Threat Actor: State Actor
Incident Summary:
A journalist affiliated with Media Voice was threatened over phone call by Transport Minister of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) Javed Butt, after publishing a report about an unappointed woman working in the Transport Authority. When the journalist contacted the woman for her version, the minister called and threatened to file a FIR, questioning the journalist’s right to conduct such inquiries.
Threat Developments:
No FIR was registered at the time of reporting. The minister’s remarks were condemned as an abuse of authority to silence media.
Threat of Legal Action (International – Visa Revocation)
Journalist: Mehmood Jan (Babar) – Senior Journalist (Peshawar)
Threat Actor: State Actors
Incident Summary:
In 2020, Mehmood Jan, a veteran journalist with over 25 years of experience, was barred from boarding a connecting flight to New York from Istanbul, despite holding a valid U.S. journalist visa. He was en route to cover the U.S. presidential elections. Turkish Airlines informed him that his visa had been revoked by U.S. authorities, though no prior notice or explanation was provided. He was returned to Pakistan in what he described as a humiliating manner. In response, Jan filed a $20 million damages lawsuit against the U.S. government through its consulate in Peshawar. The lawsuit was initially dismissed by a trial court due to the death of his counsel and lack of follow-up appearances.
Threat Developments:
On June 13, 2025, the Peshawar High Court restored Jan’s lawsuit, ruling that the earlier dismissal violated his right to a fair hearing under Article 10-A of the Constitution. The court instructed the trial court to resume proceedings from the point of dismissal. Both parties have been summoned to appear on June 23, 2025.
Threat of Legal Action (Defamation)
Journalist: Fayyaz Ali Noor – Founder, Fan Media Network (Peshawar/Lakki Marwat)
Threat Actor: State Actors
Incident Summary:
On June 17, 2025, journalist Fayyaz Ali Noor received a Rs. 10 million defamation notice via WhatsApp from DC Lakki Marwat, Zeeshan Abdullah. The notice accuses Noor of spreading false allegations in a private WhatsApp group following his report on a fake driving license scandal involving KP’s Transport Department. Noor’s report cited credible sources and did not name the DC, but the official interpreted the allegations as targeting him personally. Noor, who publishes content via WhatsApp to an audience of over 500 subscribers, maintains his reporting was accurate and in the public interest.
Threat Developments:
Fayyaz Ali Noor has not yet received formal court documents beyond the WhatsApp notice. He has stated he is willing to defend his reporting in court and believes the legal threat is an attempt to silence critical journalism.
Threats, Attacks, and Harassment against Various Types of Media:
Five print journalists, two television journalists, one radio journalist, one internet journalist, one digital media journalist, and two journalists with dual TV and print affiliation received threats during June 2025.
Threat Actors:
State actors were believed to be involved in nine cases, and in three cases the threat actors remained unknown.
