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

The European Union has issued a strong warning to Pakistan over alleged human rights violations, cautioning that the country could lose its preferential GSP+ trade status if meaningful reforms are not implemented. The European Commission's latest assessment raises concerns over enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, restrictions on freedom of expression, and the use of anti-terrorism and blasphemy laws against journalists, dissidents and religious minorities. The report also states that many of Pakistan's reforms remain largely on paper and have not resulted in significant improvements. The EU has urged Islamabad to strengthen accountability, improve labour protections, reform controversial laws, and ensure greater protection for minorities before revised GSP+ rules come into effect in 2027.

EU warns Pakistan over human rights violations | Islamabad risks losing gsp+ trade benefits

Priyanka Chopra's tweet celebrating Indian army's attack on Pakistan may have been criticised by her fans in Pakistan, but she has found support in Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut.&nbsp; 
 
Priyanka has faced much flak for her tweet since the actor is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador with a Pakistani minister even asking UN to remove her from her post.&nbsp; 
 
Kangana though has spoken in favour of her 'Fashion' co-actor. "It`s not an easy choice to make... when you are stuck between your duty and your emotions, being a UNICEF goodwill ambassador sure you can`t limit your identity to one nation, but how many of us choose heart over mind every day," the actress said in a recent interaction.&nbsp; 
 
Pakistan`s <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/remove-priyanka-chopra-as-goodwill-ambassador-for-peace-writes-pakistans-human-rights-minister-to-un-244620">Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari</a> penned has urges UNICEF to remove the Priyanka for her alleged "hypocrisy". 
 
The letter states that it “undermines the credibility of the UN position to which she has been elevated.”

Priyanka Chopra's tweet celebrating Indian army's attack on Pakistan may have been criticised by her fans in Pakistan, but she has found support in Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut.

Priyanka Chopra's tweet celebrating Indian army's attack on Pakistan may have been criticised by her fans in Pakistan, but she has found support in Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut. Priyanka has faced much flak for her tweet since the actor is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador with a Pakistani minister even asking UN to remove her from her post. Kangana though has spoken in favour of her 'Fashion' co-actor. "It`s not an easy choice to make... when you are stuck between your duty and your emotions, being a UNICEF goodwill ambassador sure you can`t limit your identity to one nation, but how many of us choose heart over mind every day," the actress said in a recent interaction. Pakistan`s Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari penned has urges UNICEF to remove the Priyanka for her alleged "hypocrisy". The letter states that it “undermines the credibility of the UN position to which she has been elevated.”

Kangana Ranaut speaks in support of Priyanka Chopra, says not an easy choice when stuck between duty and emotions

The European Parliament has criticised Pakistan&#39;s human rights record, and squarely reminded Islamabad that it has grossly erred in handing down capital punishment for those allegedly violating the nation&#39;s blasphemy law, in the excessive of military courts and in denying India consular access to former naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav on multiple occasions.

European Union Parliament members unanimously endorsed a resolution that criticised the abuse of capital punishment by Pakistan for fulfilling its political aims in trials related to civilians.

 
Calling for the abolition of the death penalty, the European Parliament members reiterated their strong opposition to the use of the death penalty in all cases and under all circumstances and called on Pakistan to reintroduce a moratorium on executions and commute all death sentences to various terms of imprisonment.

&quot;Death penalty is a cruel and inhumane punishment and a miscarriage of justice,&quot; said one the members of the European Parliament.

Referring specifically to the Jadhav case, wherein he has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in April on charges of espionage and sabotage, the EU Parliament deplored the use of military courts for holding hearings in camera and sought an assurance from the Government of Pakistan to reverse the decision to the extent military courts should apply their jurisdiction only on breaches of military discipline, and that too, only those committed by military personnel.

The European Parliament resolution also insisted that authorities in Pakistan should grant access to international observers and human rights organisations for purposes of monitoring the use of military courts and strengthen the civilian judiciary in line with international standards on judicial proceedings.

As India was denied consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav by Pakistan, the resolution underscored that &quot;third country nationals brought to trial, must be allowed access to consular services and protection.&quot;

The European Parliament reminded Islamabad of its obligation to ensure respect for the fundamental rights of freedom of thought and freedom of expression and other international and regional human rights instruments.

Expressing its grave concern about the recent mass trials leading to a vast number of death sentences, the resolution sought an immediate and definitive end to such practices, which violate international human rights standards.

Stressing about the prevailing situation regarding human rights violation in Pakistan, the resolution said ,&quot;Several minority people have been killed and persecuted because they are not being protected by the government and death penalty are the tools for setting personal vendetta or to suppress minorities.&quot;

The European Parliament said that the death penalty is incompatible with values such as respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, on which the Union is founded, and that any member state reintroducing the death penalty would, therefore, be in violation of the Treaties and of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

The European Parliament then instructed its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Commission Vice-President, EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Government and Parliament of Pakistan and the Secretary-General of the United Nations for further deliberation and action.

European Union Parliament members unanimously endorsed a resolution that criticised the abuse of capital punishment by Pakistan for fulfilling its political aims in trials related to civilians

The European Parliament has criticised Pakistan's human rights record, and squarely reminded Islamabad that it has grossly erred in handing down capital punishment for those allegedly violating the nation's blasphemy law, in the excessive of military courts and in denying India consular access to former naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav on multiple occasions. European Union Parliament members unanimously endorsed a resolution that criticised the abuse of capital punishment by Pakistan for fulfilling its political aims in trials related to civilians. Calling for the abolition of the death penalty, the European Parliament members reiterated their strong opposition to the use of the death penalty in all cases and under all circumstances and called on Pakistan to reintroduce a moratorium on executions and commute all death sentences to various terms of imprisonment. "Death penalty is a cruel and inhumane punishment and a miscarriage of justice," said one the members of the European Parliament. Referring specifically to the Jadhav case, wherein he has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in April on charges of espionage and sabotage, the EU Parliament deplored the use of military courts for holding hearings in camera and sought an assurance from the Government of Pakistan to reverse the decision to the extent military courts should apply their jurisdiction only on breaches of military discipline, and that too, only those committed by military personnel. The European Parliament resolution also insisted that authorities in Pakistan should grant access to international observers and human rights organisations for purposes of monitoring the use of military courts and strengthen the civilian judiciary in line with international standards on judicial proceedings. As India was denied consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav by Pakistan, the resolution underscored that "third country nationals brought to trial, must be allowed access to consular services and protection." The European Parliament reminded Islamabad of its obligation to ensure respect for the fundamental rights of freedom of thought and freedom of expression and other international and regional human rights instruments. Expressing its grave concern about the recent mass trials leading to a vast number of death sentences, the resolution sought an immediate and definitive end to such practices, which violate international human rights standards. Stressing about the prevailing situation regarding human rights violation in Pakistan, the resolution said ,"Several minority people have been killed and persecuted because they are not being protected by the government and death penalty are the tools for setting personal vendetta or to suppress minorities." The European Parliament said that the death penalty is incompatible with values such as respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, on which the Union is founded, and that any member state reintroducing the death penalty would, therefore, be in violation of the Treaties and of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. The European Parliament then instructed its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Commission Vice-President, EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Government and Parliament of Pakistan and the Secretary-General of the United Nations for further deliberation and action.

EU slams Pakistan's poor rights record, stand on Kulbhushan Jadhav