Journalists and stakeholders in Multan on Wednesday demanded the introduction of a provincial media safety law in Punjab, similar to existing frameworks in Sindh and at the federal level. They also urged for the formation of the much- delayed federal journalists’ safety commission required to be established under the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021. At a day-long training, organized by the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) at the Multan Press Club, participants also pressed for reforms in Right to Information (RTI) laws, timely appointment of Public Information Officers (PIOs), and the repeal of restrictive amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
The Capacity Building Training on RTI Mechanism and Media Safety, facilitated by RTI activist Kamran Saqi, provided practical guidance on filing RTI requests, highlighted investigative success stories produced by journalists using the RTI
mechanism, and briefed participants on media safety frameworks.
PPF also shared provisions of the federal law that oblige the government to protect journalists’ independence and security — a law that remains unimplemented due to the absence of the Commission it mandates.
PPF has documented at least 220 violations of media safety nationwide between January 2024 and July 2025, including legal harassment under PECA, online trolling, physical assaults, threats and suspension of government advertisements. Punjab accounted for at least 44 cases, including targeting journalists in Multan.
Advocate High Court Sherhryar Mehboob criticized delays in RTI responses, stating: “Journalists cannot wait 14 days for information; the law must be amended to ensure timely access.” He warned that draconian laws, self-censorship, and “secret FIRs” were aggravating challenges for the media. “The government must digitalize records, make official emails public, and ensure proactive disclosure,” he urged.
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Council Member Lubna Nadeem emphasized that a complaint cell is available for journalists to file grievances. She added: “Pakistan must also implement all the international conventions it has signed — only then will commitments on human rights and press freedom become meaningful.”
Court Reporters Association President Imran Nawaz underscored that journalists in South Punjab face heightened risks from PECA misuse. He pointed to the case of Shafaqat Mallana from Kot Addu, where the association intervened with the Cybercrime Wing to secure legal assistance.
Multan Union of Journalists (MUJ) General Secretary Mazhar Khan called for Punjab to enact a journalists’ protection law on the model of federal and Sindh legislation. “Journalists are already working on a draft, but no such law has been tabled yet,” he noted. He stressed the need for unity within the profession and for the inclusion of journalists’ representatives in drafting such legislation.
General Secretary of another faction of the MUJ Qamar Jahan recommended that the media safety commission be led by journalists themselves, ensuring its leadership reflects the realities of the profession.
Key demands put forward during the training included:
– Passage of a media safety law in Punjab, on the model of the Sindh Journalists and Other Media Practitioners Act, 2021.
– Immediate establishment of the federal media safety commission under the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021.
– Filling of vacant positions in the Punjab Information Commission to restore the RTI framework.
– Appointment of PIOs in every department.
– Reduction of the 14-day waiting period for RTI responses.
– Proactive disclosure of data via government websites.
– Digitalization of records and official use of emails.
– Repeal of restrictive PECA amendments.
– Strengthening of complaint cells and provision of free legal aid.
Participants concluded that without legislation in Punjab and urgent implementation at the federal level, media workers will remain unprotected against threats, harassment, and censorship.
