FN Threat Data Analysis – February 2025
Freedom Network (FN) documented five threat cases against journalists during February 2025, categorized as follows:
Threat of Legal Action (by private party or state – law related)
Digital Threats (harassment, trolling, hate speech)
Arrest (based on case/FIR/formal accusation)
These incidents were reported through the Pakistan Press Club Safety Hubs Network, a program managed by FN since 2016. In collaboration with the six largest press clubs in Pakistan — Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Quetta, Islamabad, and Peshawar — the program monitors and documents violations against media practitioners while providing essential support to journalists at risk.
Harassment Offline (Not Involving Legal Action)
Journalist: Kashif Abbasi, Senior Journalist and Anchor person for ARY News
Date & Location: February 9, 2025, Islamabad
Threat Actors: State Authorities
Incident Summary:
On February 9, 2025, ARY News channel’s anchor Kashif Abbasi was reportedly off-aired from his prime time talk-show “Off the Record” after his comments in his show making some “influentials” unhappy and making the channel to “offer apology” for Mr Abbasi’s comments. Mr Abbasi was not available to comment on his off-air episode. Sources close to the anchor told Freedom Network that Mr Abbasi was “asked” to “refrain from criticizing political figures and state institutions.”
Threat Developments:
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned the ban, labelling it an attack on press freedom. Kashif Abbasi has publicly declared that he will not compromise on his journalistic integrity. Journalists and media professionals have expressed concerns over this move, emphasizing the systemic efforts to silence critical voices in the media.
Harassment Offline Not Involving Legal Action
Journalist: Munizae Jahangir, Senior Journalist and Anchor person for Aaj TV
Date & Location: February 6, 2025, Islamabad
Threat Actors: Non-State Actors (Coordinated Online Hate Campaign)
Incident Summary:
Senior journalist and Aaj News channel anchorperson Munizae Jahangir became the target of an online hate campaign after airing an investigative report on a group accused of fabricating false blasphemy allegations for extortion. The program, which aired on February 3, 2025, exposed how this group entrapped innocent individuals under “false blasphemy” charges. Following the broadcast, Munizae Jahangir received numerous hate-filled posts and indirect death threats on social media platform ‘X.’ These threats, including comparisons to the assassination of former Punjab governor Salman Taseer, targeted both her and her late mother and human rights activist Asma Jahangir.
Threat Developments:
Despite Section 10B of Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) criminalizing hate speech, social media platforms have not removed the hateful content against Munizae Jahangir. Journalists and human rights organizations, including the HRCP and PFUJ, have condemned the threats and called for immediate action against those responsible.
Digital Threats (harassment, trolling, abuse, hate speech, etc.)
Journalist: Khalid Jamil, Journalist, and Anchor person for ABN News
Date & Location: February 27, 2025, Islamabad
Threat Actors: State Authorities
Incident Summary:
On February 2, 2025, Khalid Jamil announced his departure from ABN News, citing editorial restrictions that compromised his journalistic freedom. Khalid Jamil took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to inform the public of his resignation, which he later elaborated on in a YouTube video on February 27. He revealed that he was asked to support the government’s narrative but refused to comply with these restrictions, leading to his resignation. Khalid Jamil had previously been arrested in September 2023 by the FIA for allegedly spreading anti-state narratives on social media.
Threat Developments:
Khalid Jamil departure highlights growing concerns about press freedom in Pakistan. Media analysts believe that the pressure on Khalid Jamil is part of a broader effort to control public discourse. Freedom Network has issued a statement supporting Khalid Jamil, calling for the protection of journalistic freedom.
Threat of Legal Action (by private party or state – law related)
Journalist: Naseer Ahmed, Reporter for ARY News
Date & Location: February 8, 2025, NaseerAbad District, Baluchistan
Threat Actors: State Authorities
Incident Summary:
On February 8, 2025, a FIR was lodged by district police against ARY News reporter Naseer Ahmed in NaseerAbad district of Baluchistan. The FIR included Naseer Ahmed among others for covering a protest related to the abduction of a woman. Instead of controlling the protest under Section 144, the local administration targeted Naseer Ahmed. The Baluchistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) strongly condemned the inclusion of Naseer Ahmed in the FIR, emphasizing that he was merely performing his professional duties.
Threat Developments:
Due to pressure from the Baluchistan Journalists Union and public support, the FIR against Naseer Ahmed was later dropped. Naseer Ahmed shared the news with Freedom Network’s Baluchistan Coordinator, stating that the case was dismissed due to collective efforts from the journalists’ community.
Actual Legal Action (Civil or Criminal, specifying the relevant laws)
Journalist: Sher Afzal Gujar, Journalist for Hazara Express News
Date & Location: February 2025, Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Threat Actors: State Authority (Police)
Incident Summary:
On February 26, 2025, police in Mansehra’s Daru Katha area lodged a FIR against Sher Afzal Gujar, a journalist running the digital platform Hazara Express News, under the PECA law. The FIR was filed after Sher Afzal Gujar covered a press conference held by the family of a murder victim, who accused the police of misconduct in the investigation. Despite the reporting being part of his journalistic duties, the police claimed the coverage was personal and sought legal action under PECA Law.
Threat Developments:
A police report (roznamcha) was filed by SHO Israr Shah at the Mansehra police station, seeking permission from senior officers to register FIR against the journalist for his coverage. Sher Afzal Gujar mmentioned that he was merely performing his journalistic duty by reporting the family’s grievances.
Threats, Attacks, and Harassment
In February 2025, four television journalists and one independent television media platform journalist faced threats, including online hate campaigns, legal actions, actual legal action under PECA Law and harassment. These incidents highlights the increasing risks for media professionals and emphasizing the urgent need to protect journalist safety and freedom.
