He says authorities should make clear that they will not use wide-ranging legal threats to silence critical reporting.
Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar at a press conference in Islamabad on July 20, 2023. PHOTO: PID/File
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed concern and flagged the risks of self-censorship on Thursday over Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar’s warning of possible legal action against journalists and commentators who crossed “red lines” while discussing Pakistan’s foreign policy amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
CPJ Asia-Pacific regional director Beh Lih Yi expressed alarm at the minister’s statement in a post on
The media watchdog said independent analysis and reporting on international affairs was critical to the public’s understanding of how global events affect domestic affairs.
“What happens abroad affects people at home, and threats like this can encourage self-censorship among the press, ultimately undermining the public’s right to information,” Yi said.
#Pakistan: CPJ is alarmed by Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar’s vague threat to take legal action against journalists and commentators who cross “red lines” when discussing foreign policy. Independent analysis and reporting on international affairs is essential for the public… pic.twitter.com/S03u4gjIUr
— CPJ Asia (@CPJAsia) March 12, 2026
He urged the government to ensure that no journalist is attacked for their work. “Pakistani authorities must make clear that they will not use legal threats or wide-ranging political pressure to silence critical foreign policy reporting,” he added.
CPJ is an independent nonprofit organization that promotes press freedom around the world and defends the right of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of retaliation.
The statement came a day after Tarar urged the media and online commentators to exercise caution when discussing Pakistan’s foreign policy, saying certain analyzes had caused “unrest” among friendly countries.
The minister had said the comments coming from Pakistan had led to diplomatic inquiries from abroad on whether such views represented official policy or personal opinion.
Read: Government warns against ‘sensational’ comments on foreign policy, cites national security concerns
Tarar referred to Article 19 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, but said such opinions must remain within constitutional limits.
“In regards to Pakistan’s foreign policy and its relations with the Gulf […] We cannot speculate if Pakistan is with Iran, so what could it mean for its relations with Saudi Arabia? […] or if we are with the United Arab Emirates, what does that mean for our relations with Saudi Arabia?
The minister also warned that negative vlogs or comments on relations between countries aimed at garnering online views could harm Pakistan’s interests.
“Creating sensationalism to gain opinions is harmful. In the current situation, spreading sensationalism is not a service to the country,” he said.
Tarar warned against “sensational” comments about Pakistan’s foreign policy, warning that action would be taken if “red lines” were crossed.
The minister did not name any individuals or social media accounts. However, since the conflict in the region escalated, several vloggers and online commentators have been discussing the situation while raising questions about Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Read also: Iran’s new supreme leader affirms the importance of closing Hormuz and vows to continue attacking US bases in the Gulf states
Amid rising tensions in the Middle East following US and Israeli attacks on Iran, Pakistan has reiterated its strong strategic commitment to Saudi Arabia while urging restraint to avoid a wider regional conflict.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also discussed the evolving situation during a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, highlighting that dialogue and diplomatic engagement were essential to ensure peace, stability and reduction of tensions in the region.
At the same time, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson for foreign media, Mosharraf Zaidi, said Pakistan would firmly support Saudi Arabia if necessary, highlighting the depth of ties between the two countries.
Iran has responded to attacks from the United States and Israel by launching waves of drone and missile attacks not only against Israel but also against Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, that host American military facilities, dragging the region deeper into the conflict.
The escalation has affected key infrastructure, including airports, ports, hotels, and oil and military facilities across the Gulf countries.
The attacks have also disrupted oil and gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for about a fifth of the world’s oil and LNG, while airspace closures across the region have forced airlines to cancel around 40,000 flights, the biggest disruption to global air travel since the Covid-19 pandemic.
