• October 11, 2024
• Freedom of Expression, Front Page

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) strongly condemned the multiple acts of violence, harassment, and detention of journalists while covering political protests by the opposition political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The recurring mistreatment of media professionals during politically charged events highlights an alarming trend where both law enforcement and political party members have disregarded press freedom […]

• October 10, 2024
• Broadcasting, Freedom of Expression, Front Page, General News

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) is alarmed by the unacceptable overreach of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), which has issued show-cause notices to television channels for their coverage of the terrorist attack on October 6 near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport. The media must be able to report on critical developments in the country, including […]

• October 29, 2024
• Obituaries

Khalid Iqbal, a shift in charge at a private television channel, tragically lost his life in a hit-and-run accident on Shahrah-e-Faisal near Wireless Gate. Iqbal was riding his motorcycle when he was struck by an unidentified vehicle, whose driver fled the scene immediately after the collision. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital by ambulance, […]

• October 29, 2024
• General News

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi ordered the transfer of the Supreme Court’s Superintendent of Police—SP Security—following an incident in which a YouTuber took unauthorized photos of the CJP inside the mosque located within the court premises. According to reports, the newly appointed Chief Justice was offering prayers in the mosque when a YouTuber captured his photos […]

• October 29, 2024
• Access to Information, Right to Information, RTI, Social Media

The Balochistan cabinet decided to establish the Right to Information (RTI) Commission includes amendments to the relevant law, enabling citizens to access government documents under right-to-information laws. Additionally, the cabinet approved the province’s first-ever digital social media policy. The digital social media policy aims to develop a comprehensive framework for regulating social media, promoting its positive use, and formalizing the province’s approach to digital media governance. The […]

• October 28, 2024
• General News

On October 26, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced that telecom operators in Pakistan discontinued using Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) services in mid-2023. The services, which were used to block unauthorized content on the Internet, were halted following public concerns over the purpose and potential misuse of the technology. The PTA clarified that telecom operators had procured […]

• October 28, 2024
• advertising

The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) has strongly denounced the Punjab government’s recent amendment to the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules, which resulted in a halt to newspaper tender advertisements. APNS has warned that this decision could devastate the already struggling newspaper industry, mainly smaller and regional publications, leading to potential closures and job […]

• October 28, 2024
• Social Media

On October 24, a district court in Lahore granted pre-arrest bail to journalists Shakir Mehmood Awan and Syed Zeeshan Aziz in cases registered by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Defence-A police for spreading an “alleged rape story” at a private college in Lahore. Additional District and Sessions Judge Suleman Ghuman granted the bail after the two journalists appeared […]

• October 28, 2024
• General News

German Ambassador Alfred Grannas on October 24 underscored the essential role a free press plays in sustaining a vibrant democracy during a panel discussion titled “Media Freedom and Democracy – Challenges and Opportunities.” The event, hosted jointly by the German and Dutch embassies in Islamabad, brought together diplomats, journalists, and civil society members to explore […]

• October 28, 2024
• General News

On October 25, Chief Secretary Sindh Asif Hyder Shah met with a delegation from the Karachi Press Club (KPC) to discuss issues related to land allotment, development projects, and the welfare of KPC members. The delegation, led by KPC President Saeed Sarbazi and Secretary Shoaib Ahmed, raised concerns regarding plot allotment for new members, the […]

• October 28, 2024
• Information Technology, Media and Governance, Social Media

The federal government repealed the rules governing the National Cyber Crime & Investigation Authority (NCCIA), a body created earlier this year to tackle cybercrime, internet-related offenses, and data protection, Dawn reported. The NCCIA, created earlier this year to tackle cybercrimes, online harassment and protect data privacy, was set to become the primary entity investigating internet-related offenses. Its […]

• October 22, 2024
• Information Technology

Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, stressed the importance of innovations in data networks, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and 5G for Pakistan’s economic growth and addressing healthcare, education, and development challenges. Speaking at the SANOG-42 Conference, she emphasized regional cooperation to enhance Pakistan’s digital infrastructure and promote secure, sustainable technologies. Khawaja highlighted […]

• October 22, 2024
• Freedom of Expression

The United Nations Human Rights Committee has raised concerns regarding human rights violations in Pakistan during the country’s review under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The review, held on October 17 and 18 in Geneva, marks Pakistan’s second review since it ratified the ICCPR in 2010, with the first taking place in […]

• October 22, 2024
• General News

The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing registered a case against 38 individuals, including prominent journalists and YouTubers, for spreading an “alleged rape story” at a private college in Lahore. The First Information Report (FIR) was registered on the complaint by Sadia Yousuf, the principal of Punjab College for Women, who raised concerns over the “dirty social […]

• October 22, 2024
• Broadcasting

Pakistan Television (PTV) shared that it had successfully provided live coverage of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, held in Islamabad on October 15 and 16.  Using advanced technology, including HD cameras, fiber-optic connectivity, DSNG units, and FPUs, PTV broadcast the summit from key locations like Nur Khan Airbase, Islamabad International Airport, and Jinnah Convention […]

• October 22, 2024
• Freedom of Expression

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Syed Asad Raza confirmed the suspension of 10 officers involved in the violence, including a Station House Officer and several female constables, after the arrest and assault of women protesters and journalists during a day of protests in Karachi on October 13. According to Raza, further disciplinary actions are expected.  According to ARY News, law enforcement […]