A new investigative report published by Israeli newspaper Haaretz has alleged that teachers critical of the government in Israel have been subjected to surveillance and monitoring through a secret unit operating within the education ministry. Read More: ‘Teachers‘ role critical in overcoming divides in society’ According to the report, the alleged unit has been tasked with monitoring […]
Freedom of expression
SHC dismisses plea seeking ban on animated film David
KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday dismissed a petition seeking a ban on the animated biblical musical film David (2025) for allegedly hurting Muslim religious sentiments. The plea was filed by Abdul Razzaq against the federal government, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), the film censor board, and others. Read More: ‘Love, Death […]
HRCP raises alarm over assault on YouTuber Rajab Butt at Karachi court
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Friday expressed serious concern over the reported physical assault on YouTuber Rajab Butt during a court appearance at the Karachi City Court earlier this week, calling the incident a threat to the rule of law and due process. Read More: Licence of lawyer representing Rajab Butt suspended Rajab Butt […]
Unesco warns of global decline in press freedom of expression
ISLAMABAD: Unesco has painted an alarming picture of press freedom of expression worldwide in its latest Media Development Report 2022–2025. The report urges member states to protect and invest in journalism as a foundation for peaceful and inclusive societies. Read More: Freedom of Expression Faces Global Decline “Defending free, independent journalism must be recognised as a […]
Media representatives reject proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority Ordinance
All the representative media organizations on Tuesday totally rejected the proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority Ordinance and termed the concept as an unconstitutional and draconian law aimed against freedom of press and expression and step towards imposing the state control to regulate the establishment as well as operation of all segments of media. A joint […]
PFUJ, HRCP, PBC term proposed ordinance an attempt to impose ‘media martial law’
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) have out-rightly rejected the proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA) Ordinance 2021 that the federal government intends to impose. “The proposed law is draconian in scope and devastating in its impact on the constitutional […]
FO says FM Qureshi’s remarks on CNN not ‘anti-Semitic’
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Friday said that remarks of Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi made in his interview with CNN could not be construed as anti-Semitic by any stretch of the imagination. “Any twist given to the foreign minister’s remarks would unfortunately prove the very point he was making,” Foreign Office spokesperson […]
Public relations and freedom of expression
Democratic norms and procedures have to be adopted and adapted as a new culture of cooperation and conciliation. Political parties have to develop and follow code of ethics, particularly to build positive image of Pakistan. Competitiveness in politics is essential. Leaders must understand the gravity of challenges Pakistan faces, specially economic and governance crisis and […]
The sound of deafening silence in Pakistan
As the government continues to claim that there are no curbs on expression in Pakistan, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has confirmed that its cyber wing has started an enquiry against many dissenting voices, including mainstream journalists. The journalists are accused of orchestrating a social media campaign that could have offended the visiting Saudi Crown […]
Enlightenment, Kant and Freedom
“Enlightenment is man’s release from his self-incurred tutelage. Tutelage is man’s inability to make use of his understanding without direction from another. Self-incurred is this tutelage when its cause lies not in lack of reason but in lack of resolution and courage to use it without direction from another. Sapere aude! ‘Have courage to use […]