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

In a saga that could only unfold in Pakistan, parrot sellers have suffered collateral damage after a journalist’s critique of the government. Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has reportedly frozen the bank accounts of independent journalist Asad Ali Toor, his family, and several bird sellers nationwide, all over transactions linked to the sale of parrots. The crackdown has raised fresh concerns over the misuse of financial tools to silence dissent.<h2>Accounts Frozen Over Parrot Transactions</h2>&nbsp;The issue first surfaced in April when Rozi Khan, a 29-year-old bird seller from Karachi, discovered his bank account had been closed following an FIA directive dated April 10, as reported by Pakistani newspaper, The Friday Times. Khan was on a business trip to Islamabad and, after completing a routine sale, was met with 'Invalid bank account' at an ATM. “I sell birds to all sorts of people,” he said. “I had no idea that selling parrots to a journalist could lead to this.”&nbsp;The investigation appeared to centre on Khan’s business with Asad Ali Toor, a prominent YouTuber and government critic with over 3,35,000 subscribers. Toor, known for his sharp commentary on the government and military, also collects rare parrots and spends more than Rs. 50,000 monthly on their care. Without any formal charges, the FIA froze the accounts of Toor, his parents, brother, cousin and multiple bird sellers across cities including Lahore, Sargodha and Rawalpindi.&nbsp;<h2>No Explanation, Only Questions</h2>&nbsp;Another bird seller, Nadeem Nasir, a 60-year-old businessman from Lahore, learned his account had been shut after a cheque bounced. When he managed to speak to FIA officials, he was questioned about his connection to Toor. “The last time he purchased parrots from me was in 2023 and early 2024,” Nasir told the Pakistani newspaper. “Since then, there has been no business transaction between us.”&nbsp;Toor himself said he only discovered the crackdown after his cousin’s account was frozen. “It’s not just about me. Even people who sold me birds are being punished. It’s absurd,” he said.&nbsp;<h2>Crackdown on Critics</h2>&nbsp;This incident follows Toor’s previous troubles with authorities, including an arrest in February 2024 for allegedly running a 'malicious campaign' against the state, and an earlier assault in 2021. In May, the Islamabad High Court ordered Toor’s bank account restored after the FIA failed to justify its actions, submitting only a brief reply citing investigations into alleged “anti-state posts” and possible “money laundering”. As Pakistan tightens its grip on critical voices, even bird sellers find themselves under suspicion.

Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has reportedly frozen the bank accounts of independent journalist Asad Ali Toor, his family, and several bird sellers nationwide, all over transactions linked to the sale of parrots. 

In a saga that could only unfold in Pakistan, parrot sellers have suffered collateral damage after a journalist’s critique of the government. Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has reportedly frozen the bank accounts of independent journalist Asad Ali Toor, his family, and several bird sellers nationwide, all over transactions linked to the sale of parrots. The crackdown has raised fresh concerns over the misuse of financial tools to silence dissent. Accounts Frozen Over Parrot Transactions The issue first surfaced in April when Rozi Khan, a 29-year-old bird seller from Karachi, discovered his bank account had been closed following an FIA directive dated April 10, as reported by Pakistani newspaper, The Friday Times. Khan was on a business trip to Islamabad and, after completing a routine sale, was met with 'Invalid bank account' at an ATM. “I sell birds to all sorts of people,” he said. “I had no idea that selling parrots to a journalist could lead to this.” The investigation appeared to centre on Khan’s business with Asad Ali Toor, a prominent YouTuber and government critic with over 3,35,000 subscribers. Toor, known for his sharp commentary on the government and military, also collects rare parrots and spends more than Rs. 50,000 monthly on their care. Without any formal charges, the FIA froze the accounts of Toor, his parents, brother, cousin and multiple bird sellers across cities including Lahore, Sargodha and Rawalpindi. No Explanation, Only Questions Another bird seller, Nadeem Nasir, a 60-year-old businessman from Lahore, learned his account had been shut after a cheque bounced. When he managed to speak to FIA officials, he was questioned about his connection to Toor. “The last time he purchased parrots from me was in 2023 and early 2024,” Nasir told the Pakistani newspaper. “Since then, there has been no business transaction between us.” Toor himself said he only discovered the crackdown after his cousin’s account was frozen. “It’s not just about me. Even people who sold me birds are being punished. It’s absurd,” he said. Crackdown on Critics This incident follows Toor’s previous troubles with authorities, including an arrest in February 2024 for allegedly running a 'malicious campaign' against the state, and an earlier assault in 2021. In May, the Islamabad High Court ordered Toor’s bank account restored after the FIA failed to justify its actions, submitting only a brief reply citing investigations into alleged “anti-state posts” and possible “money laundering”. As Pakistan tightens its grip on critical voices, even bird sellers find themselves under suspicion.

Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has reportedly frozen the bank accounts of independent journalist Asad Ali Toor, his family, and several bird sellers nationwide, all over transactions linked to the sale of parrots.&nbsp;

Bizarre Pakistan! Parrot sellers face heat after journalist criticises the government

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

Parrot sellers face heat in Pakistan after journalist criticises the government!