Pakistan is facing fresh criticism over press freedom after journalist and researcher Danish Irshad was reportedly placed on the country’s Fourth Schedule, an administrative terrorism watch list that can impose restrictions on movement, finances and public activities.

Irshad has reportedly documented developments in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir for nearly a decade, including recent protests, the security crackdown and the deaths of civilians. His reported inclusion on the Fourth Schedule has raised questions among journalists, activists and rights groups over the use of anti-terror provisions against a journalist.

Critics argue that the reported absence of a public trial or clearly stated criminal allegations against Irshad raises serious concerns about press freedom and independent journalism. Pakistani journalists and activists have reportedly described the move as an attack on media freedom and warned that it could have a chilling effect on journalists covering protests, human rights and political unrest.

The development comes amid broader restrictions on media access and reporting from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Foreign journalists and Pakistani staff working with international media have reportedly faced additional government clearance requirements for reporting outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.

Pakistan Places Journalist Danish Irshad On Fourth Schedule Terror Watch List | Press Freedom Under Fire

A report released Monday by the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) indicates that during last year, freedom of the press and freedom of expression in Pakistan remained under severe pressure.

Report on media freedom paints a bleak picture of the reality of being a journalist in the country. It highlights that in the last year five journalists were killed in the line of duty and that attempts to stifle the media and block access to information have grown in intensity.

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According to Dawn, the "Pakistan Media Freedom Report - 2021" was compiled under the supervision of CPNE's press freedom and monitoring committee and included firsthand information and material obtained from media outlets and websites.

"Freedom of the press and freedom of expression remained under severe pressure and faced a myriad of challenges during the previous year," the report said.

Shehbaz Sharif, the president of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), described the media report as another charge sheet against the Imran Khan government.

Sharif said, "The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE)'s report is yet another charge sheet against the PTI government. Such reports may affect Pakistan's GSP Plus status and prospects for foreign investment."

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He added that the report is a testimony to the 'fascism of this government'.

According to the report, the state of the media in Pakistan for 2020 is characterized by increasing attempts to censor the media and to negate the right to access information.&nbsp;

In addition, the paper recalled incidents that took place in Pakistan in 2021 that indicated that the year had been a particularly challenging one for journalists, media workers, and media organizations in different ways.

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"A number of journalists faced attempts on their lives, lawsuits and telephone calls from unknown numbers," the report said.

It noted five journalists were killed in the line of duty, including Nazim Jokhio, a Karachi-based social media activist who was murdered mercilessly. The report also reported 9 journalists died from the covid pandemic, and many media persons committed suicide due to unemployment.

(With inputs from agencies)

A report released Monday by the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) indicates that during last year, freedom of the press and freedom of expression in Pakistan remained under severe pressure.

A report released Monday by the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) indicates that during last year, freedom of the press and freedom of expression in Pakistan remained under severe pressure. Report on media freedom paints a bleak picture of the reality of being a journalist in the country. It highlights that in the last year five journalists were killed in the line of duty and that attempts to stifle the media and block access to information have grown in intensity. Also read | Over possible terror ties, US delays approval of Pakistan's ambassador designate Masood Khan According to Dawn, the "Pakistan Media Freedom Report - 2021" was compiled under the supervision of CPNE's press freedom and monitoring committee and included firsthand information and material obtained from media outlets and websites. "Freedom of the press and freedom of expression remained under severe pressure and faced a myriad of challenges during the previous year," the report said. Shehbaz Sharif, the president of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), described the media report as another charge sheet against the Imran Khan government. Sharif said, "The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE)'s report is yet another charge sheet against the PTI government. Such reports may affect Pakistan's GSP Plus status and prospects for foreign investment." Also read | Pakistan PM says inflation keeps him 'awake at night', slams opposition for trying to destabilise his govt He added that the report is a testimony to the 'fascism of this government'. According to the report, the state of the media in Pakistan for 2020 is characterized by increasing attempts to censor the media and to negate the right to access information. In addition, the paper recalled incidents that took place in Pakistan in 2021 that indicated that the year had been a particularly challenging one for journalists, media workers, and media organizations in different ways. Watch | Pakistan PM Imran Khan to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping "A number of journalists faced attempts on their lives, lawsuits and telephone calls from unknown numbers," the report said. It noted five journalists were killed in the line of duty, including Nazim Jokhio, a Karachi-based social media activist who was murdered mercilessly. The report also reported 9 journalists died from the covid pandemic, and many media persons committed suicide due to unemployment. (With inputs from agencies)

Report: Media freedom in Pakistan deteriorated in 2021, oppn calls it testimony to 'fascism' of the government

A journalist was shot dead close to the Afghan and Iranian border in the restive province of Balochistan in Pakistan&nbsp;by unidentified attackers, police said Friday.&nbsp;

Muhammad Jan, 37, who worked for local Urdu language daily newspaper Qudrat, was shot late Thursday while on his way home on a motorcycle in Qalat district, some 160 kilometres south of Quetta, the provincial capital.

&quot;Two attackers on motorcycle opened fire on him, using a pistol and killing him on the spot,&quot; senior police officer Muhammad Ali told AFP.

The attackers fled the scene, he said.

Pakistan is ranked among the world&#39;s most dangerous countries for journalists.&nbsp;

Reporting critical of the military is considered a major red flag, with journalists at times detained, beaten and even killed; while restive Balochistan has been wracked for more than a decade by Islamist, sectarian and separatist insurgencies.

However the motive for Jan`s killing is not yet clear, Ali said. He had not complained of any threats from militant groups or mentioned any family or tribal dispute.&nbsp;

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the killing, and Ali said police were investigating.

Jan was also working as a press secretary for the Balochistan media council as well as a teacher in a government school.

(AFP)

Pakistan is ranked among the world's most dangerous countries for journalists

A journalist was shot dead close to the Afghan and Iranian border in the restive province of Balochistan in Pakistan by unidentified attackers, police said Friday. Muhammad Jan, 37, who worked for local Urdu language daily newspaper Qudrat, was shot late Thursday while on his way home on a motorcycle in Qalat district, some 160 kilometres south of Quetta, the provincial capital. "Two attackers on motorcycle opened fire on him, using a pistol and killing him on the spot," senior police officer Muhammad Ali told AFP. The attackers fled the scene, he said. Pakistan is ranked among the world's most dangerous countries for journalists. Reporting critical of the military is considered a major red flag, with journalists at times detained, beaten and even killed; while restive Balochistan has been wracked for more than a decade by Islamist, sectarian and separatist insurgencies. However the motive for Jan`s killing is not yet clear, Ali said. He had not complained of any threats from militant groups or mentioned any family or tribal dispute. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the killing, and Ali said police were investigating. Jan was also working as a press secretary for the Balochistan media council as well as a teacher in a government school. (AFP)

Journalist shot dead in Pakistan's restive province of Balochistan