Press Freedom Under Threat in Pakistan: Report

A recent study by the Freedom Network reveals a concerning state of press freedom in Pakistan, pointing to a significant threat to the media environment due to growing constraints, diminishing safety, and job insecurity.

The annual “Freedom of Expression and Media Freedom Report 2025,” entitled “Free speech and public interest journalism under siege,” highlights that the recent revisions made to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) in January have intensified the issue.

According to the findings, these revisions have simplified the process for authorities to detain, penalize, and imprison journalists and those with dissenting opinions, both online and offline.

Iqbal Khattak, the executive director of the Freedom Network, stated at the report’s launch, ahead of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, that the situation poses a serious existential threat, a scenario rarely observed in Pakistani media history.

The report tragically documented the deaths of five journalists during the period examined.

Three journalists were killed in Sindh and two in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while at least 82 journalists and media professionals encountered various forms of threats during the same timeframe.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa emerged as the riskiest province for journalists, with 22 documented cases, while Islamabad recorded the second-highest number of cases against journalists at 20, followed by Punjab with 18 cases.

Balochistan recorded four cases, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir recorded one.

The report indicated that a minimum of 14 journalists faced legal action, predominantly under Peca, while eight journalists were arrested or detained in relation to legal cases.