Guidelines for Filing a Complaint Under the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021
Overview
In 2021, Pakistan enacted two laws specifically focusing on safeguarding the well-being of journalists – the federal Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021, and the provincial Sindh Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners Act 2021. These laws incorporate provisions aimed at monitoring attacks on the media and ensuring the accountability of those responsible for perpetuating violence against journalists and other media professionals.
The Sindh Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners Act 2021 became the first such law, passed at the provincial level in the Sindh Assembly on May 28, 2021. On November 8, the National Assembly passed the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021, bringing the first federal-level law specifically for the safety of journalists.
These laws provide a legal recourse for journalists when they come under attack and set a pathway for tackling the impunity prevalent in crimes against the media.
Both the federal and provincial media safety laws require the creation of commissions to investigate and respond to attacks on the media.
The Sindh Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners was formed on November 17, 2022.
Despite the passage of over three years since the federal level Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021 became law, the Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals (CPJMP) has yet to be formed.
Currently, complaints from journalists or media professionals can be presented to ex-officio members of the commission. These officials include one representative from the Ministry of Human Rights and another from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, both of whom hold the designation of Joint Secretary or higher.
The complete guidelines can be accessed in Urdu: Federal Media Safety Law Guidelines Urdu.docx and in English: Federal Media Safety Law Guidelines English .docx
Who are journalists and media professionals?
Journalist:
- Any person engaged in print, news website, or any broadcast medium.
- Any freelancer working in print, news website, or any broadcast medium for at least three years.
Media professional:
- Anyone collecting, processing, or disseminating information via mass communication.
- This includes photojournalists, photographers, technical support staff, drivers, interpreters, editors, translators, publishers, broadcasters, printers, and distributors.
Who can submit a complaint?
- Journalists
- Media professionals
- Families of aggrieved journalists or media professionals.
- Civil society organizations working on journalists’ protection.
What can be reported?
- Threats or acts of torture, killing, violent attacks, forced disappearance, arbitrary arrest, arbitrary detention, and harassment.
- Negligence in the prevention of such violations
Time Frame
Abusive, violent, and intolerant behavior:
- A complaint shall be file within a period of 14 days before the Commission.
- The Commission shall, within 14 days, take all necessary action to investigate and prosecute the complaint.
Harassment:
- Complaints of any act of harassment shall be submitted to the Federal Ombudsman within 14 days.
- The Federal Ombudsman or the relevant authority shall, within 14 days, take all necessary actions to investigate and prosecute the complaint.
Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals
The Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals shall comprise 11 members, including:
- Chairperson
- Secretary of the Commission
Officials of government departments:
- One representative of the Ministry of Human Rights (ex-officio member).
- One representative of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, no less than Joint Secretary rank (ex-officio member).
Members from media organisations:
- Four experienced journalists should be nominated by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), each nominated member from the Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists, Karachi Union of Journalists, Punjab Union of Journalists, Balochistan Union of Journalists, and Khyber Union of Journalists.
- A Secretary of the National Press Club, Islamabad.
- A Secretary of the Parliamentary Reporters Association and Secretary of the Supreme Court Reporters Association.
Members from civil society:
- A member of the Pakistan Bar Council.
- Commission may co-opt any person having relevant experience.
- Three members of the Commission should be women.
Reporting Procedure Under the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act 2021
As the Commission for the federal-level law is yet to be established, aggrieved journalists or media professionals can file complaints to the following ex-officio members.
- Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights.
- Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Procedure:
Note: This is a proposed procedure to send a complaint, as rules of the law have yet to be made.
Send your complaint to the following email addresses:
· Human Rights Department:
Mr. Allah Dino Khowaja: Secretary: [email protected]
Syed Ahsan Ayaz Kazmi: Coordinator: [email protected] [email protected]
Contact: 0333-1965422
· Ministry of Information and Broadcasting:
Muhammad Usman: Deputy Secretary (Coord): [email protected] [email protected]
Send your complaint via TCS in writing on paper to:
· Human Rights Department:
Ministry of Human Rights
9th Floor, New Pak Secretariat (Kohsar block)
Sector F-5,
Islamabad.
and
National Commission for Human Rights
5th Floor Evacuee Trust Complex,
Agha Khan Road, F-5/1,
Islamabad.
· Ministry of Information and Broadcasting:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
4th Floor, Cabinet Block,
Pak. Secretariat,
Islamabad.
Template for filing a complaint
PPF has prepared a template to file complaints under the Federal media safety law. Information in blue must be added by the complainant. You can contact PPF’s Media Safety Laws Help Desk for further assistance at 0332-883-4088.
To,
The Secretary,
Information and Broadcasting Ministry/Ministry of Human Rights
Subject: Complaint under Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021 Regarding [describe incident in short].
Dear XXX,
I am writing to formally complain under the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021, regarding an incident of [assault, threat, attack]. This unfortunate occurrence occurred on [mention date of the incident], and the details are as follows: [provide a concise account of the incident, including relevant details such as location and parties involved].
As per the law, I am reporting this incident within the stipulated time frame of 14 days. The incident involves [name individuals, public officials, institutions, or authorities believed to be responsible for the incident if known].
Please thoroughly investigate this matter and take the necessary actions to address the reported [specify type of incident—for example, abuse, violence, or intolerant behavior], following the established procedures and timeline.
I am enclosing any relevant documents and evidence to support my complaint. Please feel free to contact me for any further information required.
Thank you!
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
[CNIC]
[Address]
Resource: Contact Details
PPF has compiled a list of useful contact persons for journalists and media professionals. Please note that the contact persons may have changed over time. Federal Media Safety Law Guidelines English .docx
Resources to Contact- Countrywide
- Edhi Foundation Emergency: 115
- Madadgar: 15
- Rescue Service: 1122
- Chhipa Helpline: 1020
- Pakistan Press Foundation Media Safety Laws Help Desk: 0332-8834088
- Digital Rights Foundation Cyber Harassment Helpline: 0800-39393/ email: [email protected]
- Election Commission of Pakistan for complaints email: [email protected]
- Free and Fair Elections Network (FAFEN): +92-51-8466232 / +92-51-8466120
- Human Rights Commission of Pakistan: +92 (042) 3583 8341, 3586 4994, 3586 5969; hrcp-web.org , [email protected]
- Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists:
- – President Afzal Butt: 0300-8558544, [email protected]
- – General Secretary Arshad Ansari: 0300-8473355, [email protected]
Resources to Contact- Sindh
- Citizens Police Liaison Committee: 1102
- Aman Foundation Ambulance: 1021
- Sindh Inspector General of Police: +9221-99212626-27
- Sindh Additional IGP Establishment: +9221-99212628
- Karachi Range:
- DIGP SOUTH ZONE: 99205670-71
- SSP District Keamari: 99330041
- SSP District City: 99332815
- SSP District South: 99332792
- Additional contact information can be found at:
- https://sindhpolice.gov.pk/contact/ccp_karachi_south_contacts.html
- DIGP Hyderabad: +9222-9200537-8
- DIGP Mirpurkhas Zone: +92233-9290309
- DIGP Shaheed Benazirabad: +92244-9370560-1-2
- Additional contact information can be found at:
- https://sindhpolice.gov.pk/contact/hyderabad_contact.html
- DIGP Sukkur: +9271-5630248
- DIGP Larkana Zone: +9274-9410410
- Additional contact information can be found at:
- https://sindhpolice.gov.pk/contact/sukker_contact.html
- Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH) Regional Office, Karachi: +92 21 99206444, +92 21 99203599; [email protected]
- Civil Hospital Karachi: 0213-992-15960
- Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi: 0213-493-0051
- JPMC Karachi: 021-99223360/ 0333-215-9890
- Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad: 022-921-0207 / 0300-239-9385
- GMMMC Hospital Sukkur: 071-931027 / 0321-344-8888; 0333-313-1321
- More hospital information from across Sindh can be found here: https://sindhhealth.gov.pk/Major-Hospital
- Sindh Commission for Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals (CPJMP) 021-399336077, [email protected]
- Karachi Union of Journalists:
- – President Hamidurrehman: 0321-280-2801
- – General Secretary Nabeel Akhtar: 0333-232-8284
- Karachi Press Club:
- – President Fazil Jamili: 0300-925-8979
- – General Secretary Sohail Afzal: 0300-825-6477
- Sukkur Press Club:
- – President Zaher Lodhe: 0300-931-2263
- – General Secretary Imdad Bozdar: 0333-710-2030
- Hyderabad Press Club:
- – President Khalid Khokhar: 0300-837-8378
- – General Secretary Hameed Rehman: 0300-305-5826
- Hyderabad Union of Journalists:
- -President Hamid Sheikh: 0301-827-8903
- -General Secretary Ali Hamza: 0342-318-9255
- Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Karachi: Nida Tanweer- 0315-111-6287; Abdul Hai- 0333-304-6674; Landline: 021-3563-7131 / 021-3563-7132 / email:[email protected]
- Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Hyderabad: Afshan Samtio – 022 278 3688 / 022-272-0770 / 0310-339-2222/ email: [email protected]
Resources to Contact- Punjab and ICT
- Bomb Disposal Squad: 042-99212111
- Fatimeed Blood Bank: 042-35863950
- Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA): 1129
- Punjab Inspector General of Police: 042-99210062-3
- IGP Complaint Helpline: 1787, 042-99212609
- Additional IGP Establishment: 042-99210059
- Counter Terrorism Department (CTD): 0800-111-11
- Capital City Lahore: 042-99202976; [email protected]
- CPO Faisalabad: 041-9200233-4 ; [email protected]
- CPO Gujranwala: 055-9200606-7; [email protected]
- CPO Multan: 061-9200437; [email protected]
- CPO Rawalpindi: 051-9292629-30; [email protected]
- District Police Officer contact information can be found at: https://punjabpolice.gov.pk/dpocontacts
- Punjab Institute of Cardiology: 042-99203051-6
- Services Hospital: 042-99203402-25
- General Hospital: 042-99264091-8
- Mayo Hospital: 042-99211100
- Jinnah Hospital: 042-99231400
- Ganga Ram Hospital: 042-99200572-9
- Civil Hospital Lahore: 042-3992-1110-9
- Civil Hospital Multan: 061- 651-0367
- Punjab Union of Journalists:
- – President Zahid Rafiq: 0300-427-2156
- – General Secretary Hasnain Tirmazi: 0321-498-6252
- Lahore Press Club:
- -President Arshad Ansari: 0300-847-3355
- -General Secretary Zahid Abid: 0300-426-7630
- Multan Press Club:
- -President Shakeel Anjum: 0301-873-9403
- -General Secretary Khalid Chaudhry: 0300-963-4923
- Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Lahore: Tahira Habib – 0333-200-6800; Laraib Saeed – 0321 341 4884; Landline (from 10 AM to 5 PM) – 042 3584 5969 / 042 35864994; [email protected]; [email protected]
- Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Multan: Aneela Ashraf – 061 451 7217 / 0331 6655529; [email protected]
- Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH) Regional Office, Lahore: +92 42 99206482-3; [email protected] ; Helpline 1043:https://pcsw.punjab.gov.pk/helpline_
Capital
- Islamabad Inspector General of Police: 051-9259397, 03331150100
- Senior Superintendent of Police (Operation): 051-9108191, 03331150066
- Superintendent of Police (City Zone): 051-9246699, 03331150051
- Superintendent of Police (Rural Zone): 051-2326115, 03331150054
- Superintendent of Police (Saddar Zone): 051-9330225, 03331150052
- Superintendent of Police (Industrial Area Zone): 051-9334929, 03331150053
- Civil Hospital Islamabad: 051-555-0311
- National Press Club:
- – President Azahr Jatoi: 0334-549-8113
- – Vice President Ehtisham: 0345-515-2535
- – General Secretary Nayyer Ali: 0300-555-2208
- – Finance Secretary Waqar Abbasi: 0334-526-3638
- Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists:
- -President Tariq Virk: 0300-754-5187
- -Vice President Bashir Usmani: 0347-567-9621
- – General Secretary Asif Basheer Chaudhry: 0333-520-1525
- Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Islamabad: Sumata Alam – 051-835-1127 / 0333-569-4773; [email protected]
Resources to Contact- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Civil Hospital: 021- 582-3998
- Edhi Ambulance: 091-2214575
- Red Crescent Ambulance: 091-2210836
- Emergency Ambulance: 091-2590846
- Inspector General of Police KP: 9210084, 9210331, 9210347
- Chief Minister Complaint Cell: 091-9222460
- Police Complaint Cell: 8855
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Terror Complaint Cell: 080057784
- CCPO Peshawar: 091-9210989
- Region Police Office (RPO) Malakand: 0946-9240381-82
- RPO D.I.Khan: 0966-9280287
- RPO Hazara: 0992-9310021
- RPO Kohat: 0922-9260112
- RPO Office Bannu: 0928-9270076
- RPO Office Mardan: 0937-920113
- Additional contact information for district police offices can be found at:
- https://www.kppolice.gov.pk/phone-directory.php?tid=2
- Police Hospital: 091-9210543
- Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar: 091-9211430
- Hayatabad Medical Complex Hospital: 091-9217140-47
- CMH Hospital: 091-9214154
- Abbottabad Medical Complex: 099-2406-615
- Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH) Regional Office, Peshawar: +92 91 2617431-2; [email protected]
- Khyber Union of Journalists:
- – President Kashif Uddin Syed: 0345-939-9011
- -General Secretary Irshad Ali Maidani: 0316-637-5694
- Peshawar Press Club:
- – President Muhammad Riaz Khan: 0333-912-4064
- – General Secretary Tayyab Usman Awan: 0345-900-0749
- Tribal Union of Journalists:
- – President Qazi Fazalullah: 0300-052-1418
- – General Secretary Khadim Khan: 0333-912-8719
- Abbottabad Press Club:
- -President Muhammad Shahid: 0321-980-4009
- -General Secretary Sardar Shafeeq Ahmed: 0332-811-5330
- Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Peshawar: Isma Khan – 091-584-4253 / 0331- 935-2097; [email protected]
Resources to Contact- Balochistan
- Balochistan Inspector General of Police: 081-9201366; 081-9201834/ [email protected]
- Quetta District Police Office: 081-9201939
- Additional DPO contact information can be found here:
- https://balochistanpolice.gov.pk/dpo_contactdetails
- DIG Counter Terrorism Department Balochistan Quetta: 081-9203911
- Edhi Foundation Quetta Ambulance Control: 081-830861-830832
- Quetta Hospital: 081-282-9915
- Civil Hospital: 081-920-2018
- Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH) Quetta: +92 81 9204 220; [email protected]
- Balochistan Union of Journalists:
- -President Khalil Ahmed: 0333-192-0198
- Quetta Press Club:
- – President Abdul Khaliq Rind: 0333-786-9217
- – General Secretary Banaras Khan: 0333-938-0155
- Khuzdar Press Club:
- – President Abdullah Shahwani: 0333-798-3877
- – General Secretary Iqbal Mengal: 0332-272-2099
- Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Quetta: Naila Raheem – 081-282-7869 / 0306- 294-6125; [email protected]
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Turbat / Makran: Waqar Qayyum – 0852 413 365 / 0323 234 2406; [email protected]
