Pakistan's Media Freedom Faces Growing Pressure as Rights Groups Criticise Sharif Government's Journalist Crackdown

Pakistan’s press freedom environment is facing growing international scrutiny, with several prominent rights organisations accusing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government of allowing an increasingly difficult atmosphere for journalists. The groups have raised concerns over alleged intimidation, censorship, detentions, investigations and restrictions affecting independent media across the country.

In a joint letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and other rights organisations expressed concern over the alleged disappearance and detention of journalists, as well as restrictions on reporting and internet access. They urged the government to take immediate steps to protect journalists and ensure that media workers can operate without fear of harassment or retaliation.

The organisations specifically raised the cases of independent journalists Razi Tahir and Muhammad Saif, who they said were allegedly taken away on August 1 and moved to an undisclosed location. According to the groups, Islamabad police have not officially acknowledged their detention, while their whereabouts remain unknown. The rights organisations called for authorities to clarify their status, provide them with access to their families and lawyers, and launch an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding their disappearance.

The groups also demanded a transparent probe into the June 7 attack on journalist Mian Zahid Owaisi in Bahawalpur. Owaisi, who works for the Urdu-language newspaper Daily Khabarain, was reportedly assaulted by around 10 armed men after publishing a report about alleged drug trafficking in the area. Police have arrested three suspects in connection with the incident, but several other alleged attackers reportedly remain at large. The organisations called for all those responsible to be held accountable.

Another major issue highlighted in the letter was Pakistan’s Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines, 2026. The rights groups described the regulations as overly restrictive, arguing that journalists working for foreign media organisations must obtain government authorisation for assignments outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. They also expressed concern about provisions allowing authorities to suspend accreditation on broad grounds such as national security, sovereignty and public order, warning that such powers could interfere with independent journalism.

The organisations further criticised the use of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and investigations conducted by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) against journalists. They cited the June arrest of journalist Sohrab Barkat, who was reportedly detained over a YouTube report related to protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The groups argued that cybercrime laws should not be used to restrict legitimate reporting or silence journalists covering politically sensitive issues.

Internet restrictions have added to concerns over the media environment. The rights organisations said the suspension of internet services in PoJK seriously affected journalists’ ability to communicate with sources, verify information and send reports. They also criticised the reported blocking of Al Jazeera’s website, describing such restrictions as another obstacle to public access to independent news and information.

The organisations have urged Pakistan’s government to strengthen protections for journalists and ensure that media workers are not subjected to arbitrary detention, violence, censorship or excessive legal pressure. Their concerns have renewed debate over press freedom in Pakistan and the need to balance legitimate security measures with the public’s right to access independent information.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.