FN Threat Data Analysis – March 2025
Freedom Network (FN) documented eight threat cases against journalists with three cases relating to PECA law during March 2025, categorized as follows:
Threat of Legal Action (by private party or state–law related)
Arrest (based on case/FIR/formal accusation)
Disappearance
Censorship/Banned
Attack on the home
Assault resulting in injury
These incidents were reported through the Pakistan Press Club Safety Hubs Network, a program FN is managing since 2016. In collaboration with the six largest press clubs — Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Quetta, Islamabad, and Peshawar — 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: Farhan Malik, Founder of Raftar YouTube channel
Date & Location: March 20, 2025, Karachi (Sindh)
Threat Actors: State Authority – Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)
Incident Summary:
On March 20, 2025, Karachi-based journalist Farhan Malik was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing at their Gulistan-e-Johar office in Karachi. Farhan Malik was there in response to a summons about an inquiry against him. He was arrested after a five-hour wait. Farhan Malik is accused of running programs and publishing content “against state institutions” through the Raftar digital platform. In FIR, the FIA stated that the inquiry into Malik began three months ago, and upon its completion was charged under Sections 3, 4, 6, 13, 14, 16 & 26 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and Sections 419, 420, 109, and 34 Pakistan Penal Code.
Threat Developments:
Before Farhan Malik’s arrest, FIA officials raided his office without notice, leading to strong condemnation from journalists and media rights groups. Following his arrest, fellow journalists staged a protest outside the FIA Cyber Crime Cell. Farhan Malik’s media platform Raftar has since been taken offline. He was presented before the Judicial Magistrate’s Court, which granted a four-day remand for further investigation. Journalists and press freedom advocates continue to criticize the government’s use of PECA to suppress critical voices. He was re-arrested in another case FIA brought up against him and obtained a remand for investigation.
Threat of Legal Action (by Private Party or State – Law Related)
Journalist: Zahid Sharif, Admin of ZSR Digital Facebook Page
Date & Location: March 15, 2025, Bhakkar (Punjab)
Threat Actors: State Authority – Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)
Incident Summary:
On March 15, 2025, journalist Zahid Sharif was charged under various sections of PECA 2016, the Telegraphic Act 1885, and provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code after posting a statement from a woman accusing the local police of “physical assault.” The post, which included visible marks of violence on the woman’s body, prompted Shafi Ullah to file a complaint, alleging defamatory material had been uploaded against him. Multiple raids were conducted by police at Sharif’s residence, but he could not be located.
Threat Developments:
On March 18, 2025, Zahid Sharif secured interim bail from an Additional Sessions Judge. Press freedom advocates have raised concerns about the case, highlighting that the FIR appears to be a retaliatory action against Sharif’s reporting on police misconduct. The ZSR Digital Facebook page continues to operate, with Sharif remaining vocal about local police brutality.
Threat of Legal Action (by private party or state–law related)
Journalist: Hidayat Ullah, correspondent of 92 News channel and Member of “Bannu Press Club,” Bannu
Date & Location: March 17, 2025, District Bannu (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Threat Actors: State Authority – Local Government official
Incident Summary:
On March 1, 2025, a local government official submitted a formal request to the district police officer to register a case under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) against Hidayatullah, accusing him of “blackmailing” and “defaming” local officials. Tehsil Municipal Officer Mohammad Yousaf Khan alleged that Hidayatullah was “spreading baseless propaganda” against him on print and social media.
Threat Developments:
The potential PECA case against Hidayatullah has raised concerns for the journalist who approached the Bannu circuit bench of the Peshawar High Court to secure pre-arrest bail to discourage arrest if a case under PECA law is registered against him. Freedom Network and Bannu Press Club raised concerns about the situation the journalist is facing.
Disappearance
Journalist: Asif Karim Khetran, Member of Barkhan Press Club, Social Media Activist
Date & Location: March 15, 2025, Barkhan District (Balochistan)
Threat Actors: District Administration
Incident Summary:
On March 15, 2025, Asif Karim Khetran, a young journalist and social media activist from Barkhan District, Balochistan, was reported ”missing” after he said he was “under threats from “official quarters.” Asif Karim Khetran, who was posting about human rights on X platform, had previously reported on social media that his shop was “sealed” after a raid by paramilitary forces on his home. His relatives confirmed his enforced disappearance, with one relative, Rozi Khan, claiming that Asif Karim Khetran is allegedly being held by paramilitary forces.
Threat Developments:
Rozi Khan mentioned that negotiations were ongoing with the forces for Asif’s release.
Banned/Censorship
Journalist: Paras Jehanzeb, Anchorperson for SUNO News TV channel
Date & Location: March 6, 2025, Islamabad (Federal Capital Territory)
Threat Actors: Unknown
Incident Summary:
On March 6, 2025, Paras Jehanzeb, a well-known anchorperson for the SUNO News TV channel, revealed that her current affairs show “News Beat” was off-air. In a video statement she posted on her YouTube channel, Jehanzeb stated that while the channel management cited financial constraints, she “believes the real reason behind the show’s cancellation was (alleged) government pressure due to her critical reporting on economic issues, including inflation and poverty.” She emphasized her commitment to independent journalism and refused to do “planted” shows or “follow any dictation.”
Threat Developments:
The removal of “News Beat” has sparked concerns among media professionals about growing government influence over independent journalism.
Banned/ Censorship
Digital Platform: The Centrum Media (TCM)
Date & Location: March 12, 2025, Pakistan
Threat Actors: State Authority
Incident Summary:
On March 12, 2025, Pakistani actor Adeel Afzal’s criticism of the military’s “increasing presence” in educational institutions and media led to the removal of his interview from the website of digital platform TCM.
Following the interview, TCM removed the podcast from its YouTube channel under pressure, only to re-upload it later with the portions critical of the military censored. Afzal confirmed receiving a notification from TCM about the pressure leading to the removal of his remarks.
Additionally, ARY News channel also faced criticism for removing a segment featuring a girl praising Baloch social activist Dr Mahrang Baloch during a Ramazan program. This follows a broader trend of media censorship in Pakistan, extending from mainstream TV channels to digital platforms like YouTube, where discussions involving dissent against the military or sensitive political issues are being silenced.
Threat Developments:
The censorship of Afzal’s interview highlights the growing control over media content critical of state institutions.
Afzal and media commentators, such as Adnan Rehmat, have expressed concern over the increasing intolerance toward moderate voices in Pakistan. BBC Urdu quoted Rehmat as warning that the state’s suppression of dissenting opinions is alienating moderate critics, potentially leaving the government without any allies. The swift application of laws like PECA (Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act) is being used to silence critics, with heavy penalties for those who speak out against the military.
Attack on Family
Journalist: Ahmad Noorani, Investigative Journalist & Founder of online FactFocus platform
Date & Location: March 19, 2025, Islamabad (Federal Capital Territory)
Threat Actors: State Authority – The Federal Investigation Agency
Incident Summary:
In the wee hours of March 19, 2025, two brothers of investigative journalist Ahmad Noorani were abducted from their home in Islamabad by unidentified individuals who claimed to be Islamabad Police personnel. Ahmad Noorani, currently in exile in the US and running the investigative online FactFocus platform, alleged that this act was a clear “reprisal” against his recent reporting, which involved high-ranking military officials. The abductors tortured Noorani’s family, including his mother and sister, seized their mobile devices, and forcibly took the two brothers, Saifur Rehman Haider and Muhammad Ali, to an undisclosed location.
Threat Developments:
On March 20, Noorani’s mother filed a habeas corpus petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), demanding the immediate release of her sons. The court has ordered Islamabad police to submit a detailed report by March 24. Ahmad Noorani and press freedom advocates believe the abduction is retaliation for his investigative reporting. The case has drawn widespread condemnation, calling it a “sign of relentless repression of dissent” and urging immediate action for the brothers’ safe return.”
Assault resulting in injury
Journalist: Ajmair Shinwari, Correspondent of Aaj News
Date & Location: 30th March 2025, Landi Kotal Bazar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Threat Actors: State Authority – Police
Incident Summary:
On March 30, 2025, Ajmair Shinwari, Correspondent of Aaj News, was covering an anti inflation operation which was underway in Landi Kotal by the district administration, in which police were also involved. During the coverage at Bacha Khan Chowk, police officials suddenly snatched his mobile phone and also subjected him to minor physical assault, despite his repeated identification as a journalist. After intervention by locals and the General Secretary of the Landi Kotal Press Club, his mobile phone was returned, though the police continued to hurl verbal abuse during the incident.
Threat Development:
The threat originated from state actors, specifically, police officers from the Landi Kotal Police Station.
Threats, Attacks, and Harassment against Various Types of Media:
One social media activist, five internet media, and two TV journalists received threats during March 2025.
Threat Actors
State authorities were believed in six cases and they include Federal Investigation Agency, Local government official, police, and district administration while in once case the threat actor is unknown.
Cartoon Courtesy Dawn newspaper
