IFJ Raises Alarm: Press Freedom Under Siege in Pakistan

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is raising alarm bells over deteriorating press freedom in Pakistan, as per a Sunday report by Dawn. A high-stakes meeting occurred in Paris between the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and IFJ top brass, including President Dominique Pradalie and Secretary General Anthony Bellanger, to discuss this escalating crisis.

Violence, censorship, and the misuse of laws like the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) against journalists were highlighted as concerning issues. IFJ leaders decried targeted killings, harassment, censorship, and economic insecurity plaguing media professionals in the country. The call for immediate intervention by government figures was underscored by warnings of potential appeals to the United Nations for global attention.

PFUJ General Secretary Shakeel Ahmed and others briefed IFJ officials about on-ground challenges. A joint statement from IFJ leaders slammed the "unlawful" use of PECA against journalists and demanded corrective measures. The statement also criticized the "undeclared censorship" by authorities, urging Pakistan's Prime Minister to enact reforms to halt this "economic massacre" affecting journalists. Press freedom in Pakistan is now a critical focus for the upcoming IFJ Congress.