Global rights groups urge PM Shehbaz to act for press freedom and protect journalists

Several national and international organizations working for human rights and press freedom have written a joint letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, expressing serious concern over the deteriorating media situation in Pakistan.

The letter said that “the undersigned press freedom and human rights groups urge your government to take immediate steps to fulfill Pakistan’s obligations under the Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantee freedom of expression and the press, and require the State to protect journalists from violence, intimidation and unlawful interference.”

The letter also raised questions about the constitutional amendment and the role of the judiciary. He stated that pressure on the media has increased since the 27th Constitutional Amendment in November 2025 and the establishment of the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC). The organizations argued that the weakening of judicial oversight is emboldening those who engage in attacks on journalists.

Read: President signs 27th amendment bill into law

The organizations expressed concern over the decision of the Federal Constitutional Court to end the suo motu process for the murder of journalist Arshad Sharif and called for the formation of an independent judicial commission. They also described as illegal the continued detention of journalist Sohrab Barkat for 90 days, despite the Supreme Court granting him bail, and demanded his immediate release.

The FCC settled the Arshad Sharif murder case, explaining that the governments of Pakistan and Kenya were already investigating the matter and that the court’s involvement was not necessary.

Arshad had gone into self-imposed exile in August 2022 following a series of cases against him in Pakistan. He moved to Kenya, where he was shot dead by Kenyan police in October 2022 in an apparent case of mistaken identity.

Read more: FCC settles Arshad Sharif murder case saying ‘no need for any judicial interference’

The letter urged the government to stop harassment of journalists, including Nadir Baloch, end what it described as “transnational repression” against Pakistani journalists living abroad, refrain from forcibly deporting Afghan journalists residing in Pakistan, and introduce immediate amendments to the cybercrime law, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), to prevent its use as a tool against journalists.

The organizations that signed the letter include the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders, among other prominent bodies,” journalist Nadir Baloch wrote on his X account.

Below are the specific calls to action urged by the undersigned press freedom and human rights groups.

Also read: Journalist Imtiaz Mir succumbs to injuries a week after Karachi gun attack

Lawsuits for individual journalists

Sohrab Barkat: “Immediately and unconditionally release journalist Sohrab Barkat, who has been detained for more than 90 days under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 in relation to his reporting.”

Arshad Sharif: “Ensure justice for Arshad Sharif… We urge the government, through an independent judicial commission, to reopen a transparent investigation into his death.”

Shan Dahar: “End impunity for the murders of journalists, including by ensuring justice for the murder of Shan Dahar… We urge the government to reopen the currently dormant investigation into Dahar’s death.”

Imtiaz Mir: “Ensure accountability for the murder of journalist Imtiaz Mir in Karachi… We call on the authorities to quickly, thoroughly and transparently investigate the alleged perpetrators and masterminds behind the attack.”

Nadir Abbas Baloch: “Investigate the threats and stop the intimidation against journalist Nadir Abbas Baloch… We call on the authorities to carry out a prompt, independent and transparent investigation into the threats.”

Demands for legal and political reform

Transnational repression: “Stop the prosecution and conviction of Pakistani journalists living abroad… We urge your government to stop prosecuting journalists living abroad for their reporting or comments.”

Afghan journalists: “Protect Afghan journalists in exile from deportation… We urge the government to immediately stop deportations of at-risk journalists and media workers and uphold the principle of non-refoulement.”

PECA Reform: “Urgently repeal or substantially amend the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act of 2016 (PECA), including the 2025 amendments, to protect press freedom and end its misuse against journalists.”