A coalition of thirteen local and international civil society organisations, led by Amnesty International, has issued a joint appeal urging Pakistani authorities to immediately halt escalating restrictions on freedom of expression, press freedom, and human rights advocacy.

The appeal was delivered in the form of an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. The coalition warned that national security, public order, and alleged false information must not be used as open-ended justifications for criminalising dissent, controlling newsrooms, or disconnecting entire populations.

The groups highlighted a broader pattern of using vague cybercrime provisions under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) to criminalise protected expression and intimidate critical voices. The letter specifically cited recent summonses issued to prominent journalists, including Asad Ali Toor, as well as notices served to reporters from major news outlets and local press clubs.

Beyond legal action, the statement raised alarm over mounting government pressure on newsrooms and television networks. The rights groups cited the forced removal of journalists and anchorpersons from broadcast television, including Munizae Jahangir, Matiullah Jan, and Kashif Abbasi, as retaliatory actions for covering sensitive political subjects.

They condemned punitive regulatory measures by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), including fines, suspensions, and employment directives that foster widespread self-censorship.

The statement noted that PECA notices have also been issued to Dawn journalist Muhammad Akbar Notezai, Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari, journalists Mujahid Sheikh, Sheraz Nisar, Ahmad Faraz, Yasir Shamoun, Waseem Sabir, and lawyer Tariq Afghan. The groups stressed that the law must not be used to criminalise journalism, legal advocacy, political criticism, or human rights reporting.

Journalist unions and rights groups described the removal of Munizae Jahangir’s television news and politics program after eleven years of broadcast on Aaj TV as retaliation for her reporting on topics considered too sensitive, including an interview with the Leader of the Opposition.

This follows the sudden sacking of journalist Matiullah Jan from Neo News earlier this year, reportedly due to similar pressure by the authorities, and the reported removal from air of anchorperson Kashif Abbasi. The coalition argued that this is part of a wider pattern of forced silence. In 2021, journalist Hamid Mir was suspended by Geo News after speaking at a protest supporting an attacked journalist.

The signatories demanded the immediate release of human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha, who have remained imprisoned under PECA charges since January. The letter emphasised that their ongoing detention directly violates international standards, including the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.

Their appeals and sentence-suspension applications have not received substantive determination by the courts, despite a Supreme Court direction in May that the Islamabad High Court decide the matter within two weeks. On 28 July, their lawyers again sought an urgent hearing.

Addressing digital rights, the coalition criticised blanket communications blackouts, calling for the full restoration of internet services in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir following disruptions that began in June. The group also demanded an immediate reversal of the reported blocking of Al Jazeera’s news website and the withdrawal of restrictive Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines.

The letter reminded the government that Pakistan’s authorities must protect people, including journalists, lawyers, and human rights defenders, rather than punish them simply for their work. It stressed Pakistan’s binding international obligations under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

The joint appeal was co-signed by Amnesty International, Article 19, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Digital Rights Foundation (DRF), Bolo Bhi, Lawyers for Lawyers, and several other international rights organisations.

ANI