Islamabad, September 5 โ Journalists and rights activists have expressed serious concern over the increasing restrictions on press freedom in Pakistan, with many drawing parallels to the censorship that prevailed during General Ziaul Haqโs military regime, local media reported on Friday.
The concerns were highlighted at events held in Islamabad to pay tribute to veteran journalists and trade unionists Nisar Osmani and C.R. Shamsi, both of whom fought for press freedom and journalistsโ rights during martial law regimes.
At a seminar at the National Press Club (NPC), members of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) remembered the struggles of Osmani and Shamsi, stressing the need to safeguard independent journalism.
A separate candlelight vigil was also held outside the Dawn offices, where journalists, lawmakers, and rights activists gathered to honor the two late journalists. Speakers urged media workers to unite and resist government measures curbing freedom of expression, vowing to continue their struggle against restrictive laws, including recent amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
Participants noted that harassment, abductions, and assaults on journalists have created a climate of fear that undermines independent reporting. They condemned the closure of roads leading to the NPC, calling it an attempt to โbesiegeโ journalists.
The concerns follow last monthโs condemnation by the Human Rights Council (HRC) of Pakistan, which criticized the use of PECA against four women journalists โ Nayyar Ali, Sehrish Qureshi, Maira Imran, and Shakeela Jalil. The rights body described the move as an attack on press freedom, particularly targeting women in an already hostile environment.
โIn any civilized society, the performance of institutions is judged by the role and participation of women. Targeting women in journalism with lawsuits and harassment is deeply regrettable and unfortunate,โ the HRC said in a statement.
The council called for immediate justice and protection for the affected women journalists and urged media bodies, civil society, and human rights institutions to join forces in defending press freedom in Pakistan.
