PAKISTAN MEDIA MONITOR – March 2025
A monthly report on trends relating to state of journalism and media rights, policies and practices
Tracking:
Media related laws, policies and regulations
The state of media professionalisms
The state of media economy
Threats and attacks against journalists and information practitioners
Vol. 6, No. 3 – March 2025 Edition
Produced by Freedom Network – www.fnpk.org
SECTION 1: Media related laws, policies, regulations, mechanisms
- Freedom of expression (FOE)
- Right to information (RTI), access to information (ATI)
- Federal and provincial governments (relevant ministries and departments)
- Media related regulators (PPC, PEMRA, PTA)
- Regulatory issues related to print, electronic and digital media
FAFEN calls for stronger RTI frameworks
Date: March 24, 2024 – Source 1: Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), Source 2: Dawn
In a policy brief titled Strengthening the RTI Framework in Punjab, the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) called for reforms to address gaps in the implementation of the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act (PTRIA) 2013.
Date: March 29, 2025 – Source: The News
The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) urged reforms to strengthen the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act (PTRIA) 2013, calling for collaboration between the Punjab Assembly, Information Commission, and civil society.
SECTION 2: The state of media professionalisms
- Media independence issues
- Public interest journalism practices and challenges
- Ethical journalism issues
- The state of thematic journalism
- Community-focused media
- Misinformation / disinformation / fake news
AJK premier urges journalistic integrity and accountability
Date: March 3, 2024 – Source 1: Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Source 2: Dawn
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq expressed hope that media professionals would uphold the same high standards they expected from politicians, government officials and institutions, maintaining that truth and impartiality were essential traits.
Misleading content circulates in wake of Jaffar Express incident
Date: March 13, 2025 – Source: Dawn
Following the Jaffar Express hijacking, a surge of unverified and outdated videos and images flooded social and digital media platforms, all falsely linked to the incident despite having no actual connection.
Pakistani media’s role crucial for climate action, asserts UK diplomat
Date: March 14, 2025 – Source: Dawn
Speaking at a Climate Journalism workshop in Islamabad, Jo Moir, Development Director at the British High Commission, highlighted the key role of Pakistan’s journalists in promoting climate action and government accountability.
Media urged to address rapid population growth
Date: March 15, 2025 – Source: Express Tribune
Speakers at a National Media Coalition (NMC) meeting in Islamabad expressed the need for media stakeholders to play a role in advancing the population management agenda in Pakistan, particularly in addressing the challenges posed by rapid population growth.
APNS elects new executive body
Date: March 16, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The Nation
The annual general council meeting of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) in Karachi unanimously elected Sarmad Ali as President, Nazafreen Saigol Lakhani as Senior Vice President, Shahab Zuberi as Vice President, Athar Kazi as Secretary General, and Mohsin Bilal as Joint Secretary.
Date: March 16, 2025 – Source: Dawn
A marked decline in news viewership among university students in Pakistan has become increasingly evident. News organizations must recognize this shift and address the growing demand for trustworthy, impartial information, steering away from stereotypical narratives that dominate current media.
The diaspora effect: How ‘exiled’ Pakistani journalists challenge state narratives
Date: March 14, 2025 – Source: Journalism Pakistan (JP)
Amid tightening media restrictions in Pakistan, a new phenomenon has emerged: the diaspora effect. Journalists fleeing alleged threats to their lives or careers were now wielding significant influence from abroad. Free from direct state control, these professionals have built large digital followings, offering alternate perspectives that challenge official narratives.
Fake videos on social media: LHC disposes of Azma Bukhari’s plea
Date: March 19, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News, Source 3: Daily Times
The Lahore High Court (LHC) dismissed a petition by Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari, requesting action against individuals responsible for circulating fabricated images and videos of her on social media. The court, satisfied with the Federal Investigation Agency’s inquiry, concluded the matter.
Suspect arrested under cybercrime law for propaganda sent to jail
Date: March 19, 2025 – Source: Dawn
A suspect detained by the police for alleged propaganda against the state, the Punjab chief minister, and the heads of intelligence agencies was sent on judicial remand in Rawalpindi, a day after his arrest.
JIT re-summons 16 people for social media propaganda
Date: March 19, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Express Tribune, Source 3: Pakistan Today
A state-constituted joint investigation team (JIT) summoned Aleema Khan and 16 others for questioning in a case related to alleged negative anti-government propaganda on social media.
‘Fake news’: 34 social media users booked under PECA law in Dadu
Date: March 20, 2025 – Source: Dawn
Dadu police registered a case under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) against 34 persons, who are accused of allegedly spreading fake news on social media about a bomb blast, targeting the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and 15 other police officers.
All three leading ‘troubling’ PTI social media accounts belong to Imran Khan
Date: March 21, 2025 – Source: The News
According to news reports, all three leading verified Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) social media accounts allegedly belong to jailed founder party chairman Imran Khan and are run from abroad on his instructions passed through his sister Aleema Khan.
Government move to name UoP’s journalism department after slain journalist generates controversy
Date: March 26, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government’s decision to rename the University of Peshawar’s (UoP) Journalism and Mass Communication Department after slain journalist Arshad Sharif stirred controversy with the Khyber Union of Journalists (KUJ) opposing the move, urging the government to prioritize public welfare instead.
Pakistan’s cinema industry facing a severe crisis
Date: March 28, 2025 – Source: The News
Much like other industries nationwide, the cinema industry is grappling with a profound crisis. Over the past seven years, 67 out of 186 cinemas and screens have shuttered due to a dearth of films for theatrical release, including eight in Karachi alone.
Date: March 30, 2025 – Source: The News
Pakistan’s armed forces are allegedly under a $100 million social media onslaught, where algorithm-driven propaganda, bot-amplified rhetoric, and relentless digital narratives orchestrate division. A symphony of disinformation – polarized debates, synthetic trolls, and weaponized hashtags – floods the online sphere with calculated precision.
SECTION 3: The state of media economy
- Economic landscape of media industry
- Impact of Covid-19 on media resilience and sustainability
- Government and private advertising for media industry
- Advertising sector and its interface with media industry
- Business viability and sustainability of media
- Wages, salaries and arrears of journalists and media practitioners
Date: March 5, 2025 – Source: Dawn
Silencing criticism is no solution, whether the issue at hand is social, political, or of any other nature. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, in its ‘Islamabad Declaration’, cited the example of Dawn, which had reportedly been denied advertisements by the federal and Punjab governments since October 2024 because of its “critical approach” in reporting and editorials.
HRCP, KPC condemn advertisement ban on Dawn group
Date: March 6, 2025 – Source: Dawn
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and the Karachi Press Club (KPC) condemned the withholding of public sector advertisements from media outlets critical of government policies, including the Dawn group.
Information minister talks financial struggles with cable operators
Date: March 7, 2024 – Source 1: Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Source 2: Radio Pakistan (RP)
A Cable Operators Association (COA) delegation met Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar to discuss financial challenges. Tarar assured priority resolution of their issues and recognized cable operators’ key role in delivering news and educational content.
Sindh government to allot ‘additional’ residential plots for journalists
Date: March 8, 2024 – Source 1: Daily Times, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon assured members of the Karachi Press Club (KPC) that additional residential plots would be allocated to journalists, while pledging to address the issue of unpaid salaries to workers employed by private media outlets.
Punjab government doubles Journalist Support Fund to Rs100 million
Date: March 8, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: The Nation, Source 3: Business Recorder (BR)
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari announced the launch of ‘Himmat’ and ‘Sehat’ cards for journalists. She also revealed a doubling of the Journalist Support Fund to Rs100 million and funding for 23 marriages and 63 medical treatments.
PTI moves Lahore High Court against advertisements featuring PM, CM Punjab
Date: March 13, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Aliya Hamza approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) against print media advertisements featuring Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
LHC seeks replies from federal, Punjab governments on lack of policy on media advertisements
Date: March 15, 2025 – Source: Dawn
The Lahore High Court (LHC) sought replies from the federal and Punjab governments seeking an explanation for lack of a policy on official advertisements despite earlier orders issued by the Supreme Court.
VOA cuts: Over 100 Pakistani journalists lose jobs
Date: March 17, 2025 – Source: Dawn
The shutdown of Voice of America (VOA) is reportedly set to affect over 100 Pakistani journalists employed in its Urdu and Pashto services. These professionals, stationed at VOA bureaus in Washington, Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and other global locations, contributed to broadcasts in nearly 50 languages.
Government put on notice over PTV ‘management issues’
Date: March 18, 2025 – Source: Dawn
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued notices to the federal government and other respondents in response to a writ petition filed by a former Pakistan Television (PTV) official regarding the governance and management of the state-run television network.
SECTION 4: Threats and attacks against media and information practitioners, including online
- Murders and killings
- Kidnappings and abductions
- Arrests and detentions
- Threats – verbal and written
- Harassment and intimidation – offline and online
- Surveillance, hacking and data breaches
- Legal cases for journalism-related work or free speech
- Impunity of crimes against journalists
- Censorship
Police enter Quetta Press Club, arrest protesters
Date: March 2, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune
Police barged into the Quetta Press Club (QPC), arresting some individuals who had arrived for a press conference to air their grievances against the authorities after they appeared in a test for jobs in the Balochistan Education Department (BED).
PECA termed a ‘sword of Damocles’ over freedom of expression
Date: March 2, 2025 – Source: Dawn
Members of the media, trade unions, academia, jurists, and politicians questioned the need for the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2025 during an Azaadi Convention organized by the Karachi Press Club (KPC).
PTI condemns police raid on Quetta Press Club
Date: March 3, 2025 – Source: Dawn
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) condemned a police raid at the Quetta Press Club (QPC), where candidates shortlisted under the Sardar Bahadur Khan (SBK) Testing Service for government school positions were detained from the premises.
‘Forced’ apologies: ARY News under pressure
Date: March 4, 2025 – Source: Journalism Pakistan (JP)
Journalists in Pakistan have long faced political turmoil and censorship, but the pressure is mounting. ARY News reportedly remains under intense scrutiny, with anchorperson Kashif Abbasi being removed from air without explanation.
PTA, home department get more time to respond to pleas opposing PECA
Date: March 6, 2025 – Source: Dawn
The Lahore High Court (LHC) allowed additional time to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Punjab Home Department to furnish replies to petitions challenging the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025.
Balochistan High Court summons attorney general in PECA challenge
Date: March 7, 2025 – Source: Dawn
The Balochistan High Court (BHC) summoned the attorney general to clarify the government’s position on a petition challenging provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025.
JIT summons PTI social media activists for ‘creating unrest’ in country
Date: March 7, 2025 – Source: Dawn
A Joint Investigation Team (JIT) investigating “malicious social media campaigns” aimed at causing chaos in the country summoned 10 individuals, primarily from the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) social media team, to testify.
Censored on air, unstoppable online: Pakistan’s outdated model of information control
Date: March 7, 2025 – Source: Journalism Pakistan (JP)
The recent wave of allegedly forced resignations in Pakistan’s media highlights a disturbing trend of censorship undermining democracy. Journalists are being ousted for refusing to align with official narratives, sending a clear message: conform or face professional ruin.
Anchorperson claims government pressure behind her absence from talk show
Date: March 7, 2025 – Source: Journalism Pakistan (JP)
In a YouTube video, anchorperson Paras Jahanzaib denied rumors of a ‘financial crisis’, stating that her absence from her current affairs show was allegedly due to government pressure on her managers to take her off air.
Journalists booked for train attack ‘propaganda’
Date: March 15, 2025 – Source: Express Tribune
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) registered three cases against journalists under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2025, for allegedly spreading false information and inciting public sentiment against state institutions in the wake of the Jaffar Express hijacking incident.
Media censorship widens: Analyst Imtiaz Gul faces television ban
Date: March 16, 2025 – Source: Journalism Pakistan (JP)
Analyst Imtiaz Gul was reportedly barred from appearing on television current affairs shows, with media reports alleging that media owners and their production teams had received ‘directives’ prohibiting Gul’s participation in broadcast programs.
Media owner threatened with legal action for covering a press conference
Date: March 18, 2025 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Sher Afzal Gujjar, the Chief Executive Officer of Hazara Express, faced legal threats under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) after his outlet covered a press conference highlighting allegations against local police by the family of a murder victim in Mansehra.
Journalist’s mother moves court over sons’ abduction
Date: March 20, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
The mother of US-based journalist Ahmed Noorani filed a petition before the Islamabad High Court (IHC), alleging that two of her sons had been abducted. The family accused intelligence agencies of orchestrating the abduction, allegedly in retaliation of Noorani’s critical reporting.
Lahore High Court grills PTA over ban on X
Date: March 21, 2025 – Source: Dawn
The Lahore High Court (LHC) granted the federal government a “last chance” to address the ongoing ban on social media platform X, instructing the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to devise a viable resolution and determine the responsible implementing authority.
PPP’s right body demands journalist’s release
Date: March 23, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Human Rights Cell (HRC) condemned the arrest of journalist Farhan Mallick in Karachi, demanding his release and a transparent investigation into the matter.
IHC dissatisfied with police report in matter involving journalist’s brothers
Date: March 25, 2025 – Source: Dawn
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) expressed dissatisfaction over police investigation into the disappearance of journalist Ahmed Noorani’s two brothers and summoned the inspector general (IG) of Islamabad in his personal capacity to expedite the case.
IHC restores visiting days for incarcerated PTI founder, bars media talk after meetings
Date: March 25, 2025 – Source: The News
While restoring visiting days for incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) barred visitors from holding media talks outside of jail premises following their meeting.
Journalist sent to jail on judicial remand
Date: March 26, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News, Source 3: Express Tribune
A judicial magistrate in Karachi ordered journalist Farhan Mallick’s imprisonment under judicial custody, rejecting the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) request for an extension of his physical remand.
RSF demands release of journalist’s brothers
Date: March 26, 2024 – Source 1: Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Source 2: Dawn
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) demanded the immediate release of US-based journalist Ahmed Noorani’s brothers, who were allegedly forcibly disappeared from Islamabad in retaliation for his critical reporting.
Journalist charged amid press freedom crackdown
Date: March 26, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
Journalist Waheed Murad was produced before an Islamabad court by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and was subsequently remanded in its two-day physical custody under Pakistan’s cybercrime laws for allegedly posting “intimidating content” online.
IHC directs defense secretary to report on journalist’s missing brothers
Date: March 28, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
In a petition moved by US-based journalist Ahmed Noorani’s mother, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) sought a report from the Secretary Defense regarding recovery of the journalist’s two missing brothers.
Karachi court turns down journalist’s post-arrest bail plea
Date: March 29, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The Nation, Source 3: Pakistan Today
While a judicial magistrate dismissed the post-arrest bail plea of journalist Farhan Mallick in a case related to alleged anti-state content on his YouTube channel, another granted bail to journalist Waheed Murad in a case registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
Government urged to facilitate Afghan journalists until resettlement cases are processed
Date: March 29, 2025 – Source: The News
The Pak-Afghan Journalists Solidarity Network (PAJSN) urged the federal government to halt the detention and harassment of Afghan journalists, calling for authorities to support and safeguard them until their resettlement cases are processed by western embassies in Islamabad.
Date: March 29, 2025 – Source: The News
The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) has become the state’s latest tool to suppress dissent, ensnaring journalists, influencers, and ordinary citizens at an alarming rate. Recent victims include journalists Farhan Mallick in Karachi, Waheed Murad in Islamabad, and Shafiq in Sahiwal.
Nationwide protests staged against PECA by PFUJ
Date: March 30, 2025 – Source: The News
Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) led nationwide protests against the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), with journalists, human rights activists, and trade union leaders demonstrating outside press clubs in major cities.
OBJECTIVES: This series of monthly report aims to:
- Monitor the state of policies, regulations and mechanisms governing the media sector in Pakistan; the state of freedom of expression and right to information environment in the country and how these interfaces with media freedoms allowed or restricted via media regulations governed by the print, electronic and internet regulators.
- Track the state of media professionalisms in the country including ethical and public interest journalism practices and challenges, and the challenges of misinformation, disinformation and fake news phenomena.
- Follow the changing economic dynamics of the media industry and how they impact the business viability and sustainability of media and exploitation of media staff in lieu of their wages and arrears.
- Scrutinize threats and attacks against media and information practitioners, the state of impunity of crimes against journalists and efforts to provide justice for those aggrieved and distressed.
INFORMATION SOURCES: This report monitors, among others, the following sources of information:
- Government: Federal and provincial cabinets
- Ministries: Related ministries, including Information and Broadcasting, Information Technology (IT) and Telecom, Human Rights, Science and Technology, Commerce and Industry, etc.
- Legislatures: Senate, National Assembly, provincial assemblies, relevant standing committees
- Regulators: Pakistan telecommunications Authority (PTA), Pakistan Electronic Media regulatory Authority (PEMRA), Press Council of Pakistan (PPC), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), etc.
- Global organizations: UN/Unesco, International Media Support (IMS), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Amnesty International (AI), Human Rights Watch (HRW), etc.
- National organizations: Digital Rights Foundation (DRF), BoloBhi, Media Matters for Democracy (MMFD), Institute for Research, Advocacy and Development (IRADA), Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), etc.
- Media: Dawn, The News, Express Tribune, The Nation, Pakistan Today, The Friday Times, etc.
- Social Media:Facebook, Twitter, etc.
- Local networks: Journalists Safety Hubs Network, Alliance on Diversity & Pluralism in Media, etc.
- Any other open public information sources.
