FN Threat Data Analysis – April 2025
Journalists faced 12 threat cases in April 2025 across Pakistan, categorized as follows:
Threat of Legal Action (by State – Law Related)
Arrest (based on case/FIR/formal accusation)
Disappearance
Assault resulting in injury
Kidnapping
Assault without injury (manhandling etc.)
Detention (based on suspicion/without formal case)
These incidents were reported through the 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.
Arrest (based on case/FIR/formal accusation)
Journalist: Inyat Ullah Foji, Correspondent & Social Media Handler, Nawa-e-Waqt
Threat Actors: State Authority – Local Police
Incident Summary:
On 11 April 2025, Inyat Ullah “Foji,” a correspondent for Nawa-e-Waqt and social media handler from Shadan Lund in Taunsa Sharif in Punjab province, was arrested by local police after posting an interview with a local resident on his social media platform. The police claimed the person interviewed was an absconder. Subsequently, an FIR was registered against Inyat Ullah “Foji” under PPC Sections 506B (criminal intimidation), 504 (intentional insult), 500 (defamation), 189 (threatening public servant), and 186 (obstructing public servant).
Threat Developments:
Following his arrest, Inyat Ullah was sent to jail on judicial remand. He was granted bail and released from custody on 18 April 2025. The arrest raised concerns regarding the misuse of legal provisions to curb journalistic activity on social media platforms.
Threat of Legal Action (by State – Law Related)
Journalist: Sohrab Barkat, Anchor-person
Threat Actors: State Authority – Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)
Incident Summary:
On April, 2025, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Reporting Center, Islamabad, issued a second summon to Sohrab Barkat in connection with Inquiry RE-249/2025. Despite challenging the initial summons in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on March 23, 2025, and receiving temporary relief, the FIA proceeded with a second summons. Sohrab Barkat, on his lawyer’s advice, did not appear, citing fears of arrest. He remains vocal about human rights issues and has accused the agency of using intimidation tactics against dissenting voices.
Threat Developments:
On 20 March 2025, the FIA issued an initial summons to Sohrab Barkat under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, demanding his appearance for allegedly sharing “highly obnoxious content.” The summons stemmed from a complaint filed by citizen Anees Ahmed on March 2, 2025. The FIA warned of further action under Section 174 of the Pakistan Penal Code if Barkat failed to comply.
Digital Threats
Journalists: Shahzeb Jillani, Zarar Khoro, Wusatullah Khan (Dawn TV)
Threat Actors: Political Parties
Incident Summary:
Following the April 14 and 18 broadcasts of Karachi-based Dawn News channel program “Zara Hut Key,” anchors Shahzeb Jillani, Zarar Khoro, and Wusatullah Khan faced threats and online trolling after a caller criticized their discussion on attacks against religious minorities in Pakistan. The backlash came primarily from activists and supporters of a religious-cum-political party, who accused the anchors of “promoting minority voices” and allegedly “offending religious sentiments.”
Threat Developments:
On April 22, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned the threats and demanded the federal and Sindh governments ensure the journalists’ safety. PFUJ leaders Afzal Butt and Arshad Ansari urged political and religious groups to respect press freedom and called for immediate protective measures. PFUJ also reaffirmed solidarity with Dawn TV, asserting journalists’ right to report on sensitive issues without intimidation.
Threat to murder
Journalist: Ashfaq Niaz, Senior Reporter at 92 News
Threat Actors: Unknown Group
Incident Summary:
On10 April 2025, senior journalist Ashfaq Niaz received death threats while at his shop in Muhsinwal, Mian Channu in Punjab proivnce. The threats were issued by Fazal Muhammad and his son Shahbaz following Niaz’s broadcast on 92 News channel highlighting illegal tree cutting on government land.
Threat Developments:
The incident drew condemnation from local journalists and the President of the Mian Channu Press Club, Abdul Latif, who termed it an attempt to suppress press freedom. In response to journalist protests, the District Police Officer (DPO) of Khanewal took notice and instructed the SHO of Mian Channu police station to take action. Consequently, Saddar Police Station Mian Channu registered a formal complaint against the accused.
Assault without injury (manhandling etc.)
Journalists: Shabbir Dar (Geo News), Sajjad Chaudhry (Aik News)
Threat Actors: State Authority – Rawalpindi Police
Incident Summary:
On 08 April 2025, journalists Shabbir Dar of Geo News channel and Sajjad Chaudhry of Aik News channel along with other reporters, were physically assaulted by Rawalpindi police while covering a scheduled meeting between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and Imran Khan’s sisters outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpoindi district in Punjab province. The police allegedly baton-charged journalists, shoved them, hurled verbal abuse, and attempted to snatch their equipment when they tried to report on the authorities blocking access to the jail.
Threat Developments:
The Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) strongly condemned the assault, labeling it a direct attack on press freedom and calling for an immediate inquiry. RIUJ President Tariq Ali Virk and General Secretary Asif Bashir Chaudhry demanded accountability for the officers involved and compensation for the damaged media equipment. Freedom Network may issue a statement on the case.
Assault resulting in injury
Journalist: Syed Tabish Kafili, Reporter for News World Media and Financial Daily
Threat Actors: State Authority – Karachi police
Incident Summary:
On 11 April 2025, Syed Tabish Kafili, a reporter with News World Media and the Financial Daily, was brutally assaulted, detained, and beaten by Karachi police officers while performing his journalistic duties. The incident occurred in North Karachi after a high-speed dumper truck ran over several motorcycles, resulting in a traffic accident. As a crowd gathered,Tabish Kafili began filming the scene, which provoked a violent response from the police. A plainclothes officer attempted to snatch his mobile phone, and shortly after, uniformed and plainclothes police officers surrounded him and physically assaulted him. Despite identifying himself as a journalist, Tabish Kafili was punched, slapped, and dragged into a police van. He was then taken to Sir Syed Police Station, where the abuse continued.
Threat Developments:
Following the assault, the Karachi Press Club, Karachi Union of Journalists, and other media organizations condemned the incident and staged protests demanding accountability and the immediate release of the journalist. Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori took notice of the case and ordered strict action against the involved officers. Tabish Kafili was eventually released after public outrage.
Assault resulting in injury
Journalist: Aoun Raza, Court Reporter for ABN Television
Threat Actors: State Authority – Court officials
Incident Summary:
On 22 April 2025, Aoun Raza, a court reporter with ABN News channel, was physically assaulted and threatened while covering proceedings at the G-11 District Court in Islamabad. According to the journalist, the attack occurred as he was reporting on a case involving ex-police officer Arif Shah. Several men accompanying Shah allegedly attempted to snatch Raza’s mobile phone, struck him in the chest, and issued verbal threats — reportedly at Arif Shah’s instigation.
Threat Developments:
A FIR (No. 274/25) was registered at Ramna Police Station at 12:45 AM on April 23 under PPC sections 506B (criminal intimidation), 109 (abetment), 147 (rioting), and 149 (unlawful assembly). No arrests have been made so far. The Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ), Islamabad Crime & Court Reporters Association (ICCRA), and National Press Club (NPC) have condemned the incident and demanded immediate action against the perpetrators.
Assault resulting in injury
Journalists: Hamza Qatil, Kamran Mughal, Muqaddas
Threat Actors: State Authority- Police
Incident Summary:
On 28 April 2025, three reporters — Hamza Qatil, Kamran Mughal, and Muqaddas — were covering a protest by MNSCS employees when the police suddenly charged at Kamran Mughal in Muzaffarabad. In an attempt to protect him, Hamza Qatil intervened. As a result, both Hamza Qatil and Muqaddas sustained serious injuries. Hamza Qatil, in particular, was badly injured and required hospitalization. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the incident was genuine and unprovoked, with no prior aggression from the journalists.
Threat Developments:
The situation escalated quickly, and there was no clear provocation for the police action. The assault was widely condemned by local journalist unions. The incident raised significant concerns regarding the safety of journalists while covering protests.
Disappearance
Journalist: Arshad Malik, Reporter for Daily Ausaf Multan
Threat Actors: Unknown
Incident Summary:
On 22 April 2025, Arshad Malik, a journalist affiliated with Daily Ausaf newspaper and member of the Multan Press Club and Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), was reported missing from Multan in Punjab province. According to information provided by his relatives and press colleagues to Freedom Network, Arshad Malik was subjected to “enforced disappearance.” His family attributes the disappearance to ongoing retaliation for his journalistic work.
Threat Developments:
Arshad Malik had previously faced harassment for publishing critical reports, including disconnection of his electricity meter and the filing of an electricity theft case by the FIA. He was also summoned by FIA Cyber Crime and reportedly intimidated by Times Institute. A formal request for a FIR was made by his family on April 22, but it was only registered six days later, on April 28. On the same day, Arshad Malik was released and found abandoned in a remote area near Kacha Kho, Khanewal. His recovery occurred shortly after the Lahore High Court Multan Bench ordered the CPO Multan to submit a report on his disappearance within two days.
Kidnapping
Journalist: Inamullah Mehsud, Reporter for Nawa-e-Islamabad
Threat Actors: State Authority- Armed Group
Incident Summary:
On 12 April 2025, Inamullah Mehsud, a reporter for Nawa-e-Islamabad, went missing from his residence in Tank district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. His cousin, Fakhar Alam Mehsud, General Secretary of the Upper South Waziristan Press Club, confirmed that Inamullah had been taken away by an armed group. The group objected to his use of the term “Fitnatul Khawarij,” which is a reference to the banned militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), commonly used by the Pakistan Army and security agencies.
Inamullah was reportedly released on the condition that he would refrain from using the term in his future writings. During his detention, his mobile phone was confiscated. His recovery was confirmed by both Fakhar Alam Mehsud and senior journalist Shehryar Mehsud on April 16, 2025.
Threat Developments:
Inamullah’s detention and recovery raised concerns about the pressures faced by journalists in conflict zones, particularly when discussing sensitive topics related to militant groups. His mobile phone’s confiscation also pointed to the control over journalists’ communication during such events.
Kidnapping
Journalist: Abdul Majeed Sajid, TV Anchor, Former Secretary of Lahore Press Club
Threat Actors: State Authority – Intelligence agencies
Incident Summary:
On 24 April 2025, Abdul Majeed Sajid, a prominent TV anchor with TV Today channel and former secretary of the Lahore Press Club, was abducted from his residence in Garhi Shahu, Lahore in Punjab province by unidentified individuals in plainclothes. The abductors forcefully entered his home and took him away in a “Vigo vehicle.”
Abdul Majeed Sajid was held captive for seven to nine hours, during which he was subjected to intense interrogation. The interrogators, whom Abdul Majeed Sajid identified as personnel from law enforcement agencies, questioned him about the coverage of Balochistan-related issues by his channel. Specifically, they inquired about why the channel had provided a platform to leaders like Akhtar Mengal and allowed voices from Balochistan to be aired on TV Today.
During the interrogation, Abdul Majeed Sajid was warned against giving media space to nationalist voices from Balochistan. Despite the traumatic experience, he chose not to file an official complaint, citing the powerful influence of the forces involved.
Threat Developments:
There has been no official response from authorities regarding the abduction and interrogation. Abdul Majeed Sajid, despite the pressure, expressed his determination to continue his journalistic work without fear.
Detention (based on suspicion/without formal case)
Journalist: Asif Karim Khetran, Social Media Activist
Threat Actors: State Authority – Frontier Corps (FC)
Incident Summary:
0n 02 April, Asif Karim Khetran, a journalist and social media activist was released after being detained for over two weeks by the personnel of paramilitary force in Barkhan District, Balochistan. His detention came after he posted about the Baloch Yakjehtee (Solidarity) Committee and the issue of missing persons on social media. During his time in custody, Khetran reported that he was not subjected to torture but mentioned that his social media accounts were deleted by FC officials.
Threat Developments:
Asif Karim Khetran’s case highlights the ongoing suppression of social media activists and journalists in Baluchistan. Despite his release, the deletion of his social media content raised concerns about the control over digital communications.
Earlier Incident:
Khetran had gone missing from Barkhan District, Baluchistan, on March 15, 2025. According to Asif Karim Khetran, he was forcibly arrested by security forces (FC) from Barkhan.
Threats, Attacks, and Harassment against Various Types of Media:
Three print media journalists, seven television media journalists, one internet media journalist, and one social media activist received threats during April 2025.
Threat Actors
State authorities were believed to be involved in nine cases, while political parties in one case, and the threat actors were unknown in two cases.
