Pakistan has delivered a significant blow to press freedom by directing electronic media to exclude 11 individuals, including journalists, from coverage due to their critical stance against the outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led government and military.
Regulatory Directive:
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), an electronic media watchdog, issued a directive based on a Sindh High Court decision that denies certain rights, including appearing on television, to these individuals. The directive, invoking section 27 of Pemra Ordinance 2002, prohibits media coverage of these "proclaimed offenders" and urges refraining from broadcasting their news, reports, statements, or tickers.
Journalists and Individuals Affected:
Among those affected are journalists Sabir Shakir, Moid Peerzada, Wajahat Saeed Khan, and Shaheen Sehbai, who are perceived as supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The list also includes Adil Farooq Raja, Ali Nawaz Awan, Murad Saeed, and Hammad Azhar. Saeed, Awan, and Azhar were part of Khan's government, while Adil Farooq Raja is a former Army major living in the UK who has criticized the military's treatment of Khan.
Background and Implications:
These individuals have faced legal cases, a tactic often employed in Pakistan to silence critics, resulting in their designation as "proclaimed offenders" for failing to appear before courts. It is speculated that many of them have left the country to avoid arrest. The conclusion of the Sharif-led government's tenure followed the dissolution of the National Assembly on August 9, marking the transition to a neutral caretaker setup preceding the next general elections.
Press Freedom Constrained:
The directive represents a concerning escalation in curbing press freedom, as journalists and critical voices are being barred from media platforms. This move comes amidst ongoing concerns about the shrinking space for independent journalism and free expression in Pakistan.
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