Punjab leads tally for cases involving threats to journalists

ISLAMABAD: At least 15 cases of threats against journalists have been reported from Punjab, out of a total of 22 such incidents reported between April and June 2026.

According to a review released by the Freedom Network on Tuesday as part of its quarterly assessment of threats to media and journalists in Pakistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa saw the number of documented cases in the province fall from five in the first to three in the second quarter of the year.

Sindh and Balochistan recorded one case each in both quarters, while Islamabad Capital Territory and Gilgit-Baltistan documented one case each during the second quarter.

No verified incidents were reported from Azad Jammu and Kashmir this year.

Freedom Network review finds growing role of state institutions in intimidation of media practitioners; those reporting on corruption, governance issues most susceptible to threats

The documented cases covered a wide range of violations against journalists, including actual legal action (six), threat of legal action (four), arrest (three), assault resulting in injury (two), assault without injury (two), threat of harm (three), threat to murder (two) and attempt to murder and kidnapping (one case in each category).

Role of state institutions

The most significant trend observed during the period was the continued use of legal mechanisms and state institutions to investigate, prosecute, or intimidate journalists.

Individuals reporting through digital platforms or covering governance, corruption, and matters of public interest were the most vulnerable.

The review identified state actors as the principal threat in 15 out of 22 documented cases (68pc), underscoring the growing role of legal and administrative measures in restricting freedom of the press.

The findings demonstrate that while physical attacks by criminal and non-state actors continue to pose significant risks, legal action, arrests, investigations, and administrative actions initiated by state institutions remained the dominant pattern of threats documented during the second quarter of 2026.

Compared to the first quarter of 2026, which documented 18 incidents of threat against journalists, the second quarter recorded 22 cases, reflecting an increase of 22 per cent in documented violations.

Punjab registered the highest number of cases in the first two quarters of 2026, increasing from eight in the first quarter to 15 cases in the second.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa retained its position as the second most dangerous province for journalism, recording five cases during the first quarter and three during the second. Sindh, Balochistan, Islamabad Capital Territory and Gilgit-Baltistan continued to record isolated but significant incidents.

Key trends

The second quarter demonstrated a continued pattern of legal action, arrests, and administrative measures targeting journalists, particularly those reporting on governance, accountability, corruption, and other matters of public interest.

Several journalists faced investigations or criminal proceedings under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), anti-terrorism legislation, and other criminal laws.

Cases against Fakharur Rehman, Razi Tahir, Adnan Rawat, Arslan Shaukat Mahandrah, Maqbool Jaffar, Imtiaz Chandio, Muhammad Saad, Abdul Sattar Baloch, Habibullah Malik, and Shakeel Ahmad Baloch reflected a “continuing pattern in which legal and regulatory mechanisms” were used against journalists in the print and electronic media, as well as for individuals expressing dissenting views online.

Physical violence also was a matter of serious concern throughout the second quarter of 2026. Abdul Ghaffar survived an attempted murder in Punjab’s Vehari district, while Mian Zahid Owaisi suffered serious injuries after he was attacked in Bahawalpur district.

Other incidents involving Shakeel Ahmad, Hidayatullah and Amir Chand Khan showed that journalists covering corruption, crime, governance, and local administrative affairs continued to face violence and intimidation during field reporting.

“I believe I was targeted because of my reporting. A group of attackers assaulted me with sticks and clubs, leaving me seriously injured,” journalist Mian M. Zahid Owaisi said while talking to Freedom Network.

Threats against journalists investigating corruption and abuse of authority remained widespread. Several journalists received death threats or intimidation after publishing investigative reports concerning government institutions, the local administration, and public officials, reinforcing concern over increasing hostility toward accountability journalism.

The quarter also reflected growing pressure on digital journalists, YouTubers, freelancers, and social media commentators, indicating that online journalism remains especially prone to criminal prosecution and regulatory actions.

The overwhelming majority of documented cases during the second quarter involved male journalists. No verified case involving a woman journalist was documented during this period.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2026 ...