FN Threat Data Analysis- March 2026
Five cases of different threat categories were recorded against journalists across Pakistan during March 2026, including detention, threat of legal action, assault resulting in injury, and assault without injury. Punjab Province tops threats list against journalists.
These cases were categorized as follow:
Threat of legal action (by private party or state – law related)
Assault without injury (manhandling etc.)
Detention (based on suspicion/without formal case)
Assault resulting in injury
These incidents were reported through Pakistan Press Club Safety Hubs Network; a program FN is managing since 2016. In collaboration with the six largest press clubs —Lahore, Multan, Quetta, Peshawar, Gilgit and Muzaffarabad in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The program monitors and documents violations against media, its practitioners and media workers while providing essential support to journalists at risks.
Threat of legal action (by private party or state – law related)
Journalist: Arshad Sanga, Special Correspondent, Daily Khabrain, Kabirwala (Punjab)
Threat Actor: State Authority
Incident Summary:
On 17 March 2026, journalist Arshad Sanga, special correspondent of Daily Khabrain in Kabirwala (District Khanewal in Punjab province), faced legal action following publication of a news report from Kot Islam stating that six children had died due to measles. According to official data cited in the report, 81 measles cases had been recorded in the district during the year, with nine laboratory-confirmed cases.
Three days after the publication of the report, on 20 March 2026, Arshad Sanga was arrested by local police. The following day, 21 March 2026, the city administration registered an FIR against him, accusing him of illegal LPG cylinder filling and selling substandard petrol at his petrol pump. Authorities, including Deputy Commissioner Maliha Rashid, issued a statement contradicting the report, attributing the children’s deaths to pneumonia and gastroenteritis.
Arshad Sanga maintained that the charges against him were retaliatory in nature, linked to his reporting on a matter of public health concern. He stated that the presence of a small domestic LPG cylinder at his petrol pump did not constitute illegal activity and alleged that provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) were also invoked to suppress his journalistic work. He further reported that he was arrested on the last fast of Ramadan and remained in custody throughout the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays before securing bail.
Threat Developments:
The incident drew strong reactions from the journalist community. Mazhar Hussain Bhatti, Tehsil President of the District Union of Journalists, Kabirwala, questioned the proportionality and timing of the action, noting that similar practices were widespread in the area without prior enforcement. He raised concerns that Sanga was specifically targeted following the publication of his report.
Threat of legal action (by private party or state – law related)
Journalist: Qaisar Ejaz Toba Sial, Correspondent – Daily Khabrain, Multan
Threat Actor: State Authority
Incident Summary:
On 21 March 2026, journalist Qaisar Ejaz Toba Sial, the Khanewal correspondent of Daily Khabrain, Multan, posted a video on his Facebook account showing an intoxicated individual driving a police van belonging to City Police Station, Khanewal district in Punjab province. The video quickly went viral on social media, drawing public attention to apparent negligence involving a government vehicle.
Following the circulation of the video, an FIR was registered against the journalist under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), and he was subsequently arrested. The legal action against Sial raised concerns regarding the use of cybercrime laws against journalists for reporting on matters of public interest.
According to Qaiser Ejaz, the case against him overlooked key accountability questions, including how the vehicle keys came into the possession of an intoxicated individual, why the vehicle was left unattended and unlocked, and whether CCTV footage from nearby locations was reviewed prior to initiating legal proceedings. He maintained that his actions were limited to documenting and highlighting a matter of public concern.
Threat Developments:
The incident drew criticism from members of the journalist community. Mazhar Hussain Batti, Tehsil President of the District Union of Journalists Kabirwala, also raised concerns, stating that the video clearly showed an intoxicated individual in control of a government vehicle with the ignition key already in place. He emphasized that the journalist had fulfilled his professional duty by documenting and preserving evidence of the incident.
The subsequent registration of a case against the journalist, rather than addressing the apparent negligence, has been widely viewed as an attempt to deflect accountability. Calls have been made by journalist bodies for a fair inquiry into the incident and for the withdrawal of legal action against the journalist.
Detention (based on suspicion/without formal case)
Journalist: Maqbool Ahmed Jaffar, Reporter– Balochistan Image News, Quetta
Threat Actor: State Authority
Incident Summary:
On 8 March 2026, journalist Maqbool Ahmed Jaffar, who operates the digital media platform “Balochistan Image News,” was reportedly picked up from his office in Quetta, by unidentified individuals. The incident occurred during working hours, raising concerns about the safety and security of journalists working in the provincial capital of Balochistan province.
According to Maqbool Jaffar, he was taken by personnel believed to be affiliated with multiple security agencies and held for approximately two to three hours. During his detention, he was questioned about his journalistic work, particularly his reporting and media content related to government institutions. He was later released and safely returned home.
Threat Developments:
Following his release,Maqbool Jaffar informed Freedom Network that he had been explicitly warned to exercise caution in his reporting and media programming, especially on matters concerning state institutions.
As of the time of reporting, no official statement has been issued by the authorities regarding the incident, including the identity of those involved, the legal basis for the detention, or the nature of the questioning. The absence of formal acknowledgment raises concerns about the use of informal coercive measures and their implications for press freedom in Balochistan.
Assault resulting in injury
Journalist: Qazi Abdul Rauf,– Freelancer, Landikotal (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Threat Actor: State Authority
Incident Summary:
On 13 March 2026, senior journalist Qazi Abdul Rauf was allegedly subjected to physical assault by officials of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Landikotal city in Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The incident occurred after he reportedly intervened during a public gathering where security personnel were accused of mistreating participants and attempting to restrict their right to protest.
According to reports, while returning from the event, CTD personnel intercepted Rauf, vandalized his vehicle by smashing its windows and damaging the vehicle, and subsequently took it into custody. He was then taken to a CTD office, where he was allegedly physically assaulted, resulting in visible injuries.
The incident reflects a serious escalation from interference in journalistic activity to direct physical violence and property damage. The vehicle was later returned; however, it reportedly sustained damages estimated at approximately PKR 400,000.
Threat Developments:
The incident has raised concerns regarding the use of excessive force by law enforcement agencies and the safety of journalists covering public gatherings and protests in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Assault without injury (manhandling etc.)
Journalist: Farukh Shehzad, Reporter – One Point News, Vehari (Punjab)
Threat Actor: State Authority
Incident Summary:
In March 2026, journalist Farukh Shehzad from One Point News, Vehari district in Punjab province was allegedly assaulted by officials of the Wildlife Department in Vehari, Punjab, after he reported on collection of Rs.100 parking fee at Vehari Zoo. The incident occurred in connection with his professional duties, highlighting concerns related to public interest reporting.
According to Farukh Shehzad, he was manhandled by the officials following his coverage of the issue. In response, he, along with fellow journalists, submitted a request for registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against those involved in the assault.
The incident reflects ongoing challenges faced by journalists at the local level, particularly when reporting on governance and public service issues.
Threat Developments:
Following the incident, the journalist community in Vehari responded promptly, playing a key role in seeking accountability. On the directives of District Police Officer (DPO) Tasawur Iqbal, authorities including DSP Rizwan Khan and ADCG Ghulam Murtaza took notice of the matter.
Subsequently, the officials involved in the assault were suspended, and departmental proceedings were initiated against them. Authorities also assured that those responsible would be held accountable.
Threats, Attacks, and Harassment against Various Types of Media:
Two Print, two Television, and one digital journalist received threats during March 2026.
Threat Actors:
State authority were believed to be in involved in all the five cases reported and documented during March 2026.
CAPTION:
Journalist Arshad Sanga, Special Correspondent of Daily Khabrain Kabirwala, arrested by local police in Kabirwala.
