Key Takeaways
- At least 15 cases of threats against journalists reported from Punjab.
- State institutions identified as the principal threat in 68% of documented cases.
- Increase in documented violations by 22% compared to first quarter.
According to a review released by the Freedom Network, at least 15 cases of threats against journalists have been reported from Punjab between April and June 2026. This number is significantly higher than other provinces, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recording three cases, Sindh and Balochistan each one case, and Islamabad Capital Territory and Gilgit-Baltistan also reporting isolated incidents.
The review highlights a concerning trend where state institutions play a significant role in intimidating media practitioners. In 15 out of the 22 documented cases (68%), state actors were identified as the principal threat. This includes legal mechanisms, investigations, prosecutions, and administrative actions targeting journalists who report on governance, corruption, and other matters of public interest.
The Freedom Network’s assessment also reveals a rise in documented violations by 22% compared to the first quarter of 2026, which recorded 18 incidents. Punjab saw an increase from eight cases in the first quarter to 15 in the second, making it the most dangerous province for journalism during this period.
The threats against journalists are diverse and include actual legal action (six cases), threat of legal action (four cases), arrest (three cases), assault resulting in injury (two cases), assault without injury (two cases), threat of harm (three cases), and two cases each involving an attempt to murder, kidnapping, and a threat to murder.
Notably, individuals reporting through digital platforms or covering governance, corruption, and matters of public interest were found to be the most vulnerable. Several journalists faced investigations or criminal proceedings under laws such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) and anti-terrorism legislation. These cases include Fakharur Rehman, Razi Tahir, Adnan Rawat, Arslan Shaukat Mahandrah, Maqbool Jaffar, Imtiaz Chandio, Muhammad Saad, Abdul Sattar Baloch, Habibullah Malik, and Shakeel Ahmad Baloch.
The Freedom Network’s review underscores the growing role of legal and administrative measures in restricting freedom of the press. While physical attacks by criminal and non-state actors continue to pose significant risks, the documented increase in state-led threats highlights a broader challenge for media freedom in Pakistan.
These findings come as part of the quarterly assessment conducted by the Freedom Network, which aims to monitor and address the challenges faced by journalists in Pakistan. The network’s review serves as a call to action for policymakers and stakeholders to address these issues and ensure a safer environment for journalism.
