FROM baseless treason cases, to inquiries against journalists for displaying images of Jamal Khashoggi on social media, and now the case against Shahzeb Jillani — it is obvious that legal means are increasingly being deployed to pursue the extra-legal end of silencing free speech and expression in Pakistan.
For airing views critical of the government and state institutions — views not dissimilar to those expressed by many journalists, activists, politicians and even on occasion by members of the judiciary — Mr Jillani has been indicted by the FIA on charges including cyberterrorism, hate speech and defamation.
Moreover, the law-enforcement agency has initiated the process on a complaint lodged by a serial litigant. The charge sheet reads like quintessential McCarthyism; criticism is conflated with subversion, and unsubstantiated allegations of collusion with ‘foreign agencies’ of ‘enemy countries’ have been made with no corroborating evidence to support them.
Not only is it curious that such cases are often filed by habitual private petitioners (rather than the presumably offended parties they claim to be defending), but there is a troubling tendency of such suits being prolonged indefinitely.
Clearly, if the FIA considers the charges against Mr Jillani to be as serious and actionable as they make them appear to be, the investigating officer would have been present for the hearing on Monday. He was not.
If the motivations behind this case — to intimidate and harass one journalist, and send a clear message to others — are apparent to all free- and right-thinking individuals, why then do the courts entertain such frivolous petitions, and that too at the taxpayers’ expense?
Why has the FIA been given extensive licence to interpret and enforce an already murky and ill-defined cybercrime law as it sees fit?
And if such strong-arm tactics to silence critical voices in this country are not checked, what is the logical conclusion?
A fourth estate that reflects the opinionated diversity of a democratic polity, or the censored monotony of an authoritarian regime?
The sword of Damocles looms over Pakistan’s independent press.
Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2019
Read more
The new old censorship: when power trumps truth
Muzzling critical voices
2018 saw greater controls on online free speech, threats to data privacy in Pakistan: report
Freedom of press on the decline in Pakistan: Committee to Protect Journalists
NON-FICTION: WHEN THE PRESS ROSE UP FOR FREEDOM
A noisy press matters
Comments (42) Closed
Apr 17, 2019 09:33am
There is no sacred cow in Pakistan anymore. You act irresponsibly, you mislead people, you cause panic deliberately, you would be asked. And that is exactly what we, the people, want.
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Apr 17, 2019 09:40am
The death of free speech appears to be on the cards, the journalists in particular and free society in their support must stand up for free speech. Otherwise its almost like a return to the Zia Era .....
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Apr 17, 2019 09:45am
Courageous article even though not mentioned the forces behind clapping the freedom of expression.
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Apr 17, 2019 09:51am
If all sane voices are silenced, then Pakistan will become another North Korea
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Apr 17, 2019 10:08am
No problem as far action are under law
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Apr 17, 2019 10:15am
A serious but brief and damning article on the lack of freedom of the press in the
country. Painful to read...
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
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Apr 17, 2019 10:22am
This is an absolute disgrace and outrage!
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Apr 17, 2019 10:51am
Time to leave Pakistan.
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Apr 17, 2019 11:00am
This is not good for any country and for Pakistan to suppress persons who criticize government and state institution. This is basic right of citizens to ask questions and make accountable government officials and state institutions.
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Apr 17, 2019 11:02am
Most journalists take their freedom too far.
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Apr 17, 2019 11:09am
Kindly comment about fake or planted news on TV channels to create panic.Is this the preveilag of free media
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Apr 17, 2019 11:20am
There is already too much free speech in the country. Some journalists are being funded from abroad to spread propoganda locally. Almost all the western countries are using laws to curb free speech which criticises their world view for example Russia just passed bill to curb free Internet etc.
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Apr 17, 2019 11:22am
When there are attempts to curtail free speech it means those in power have a lot to hide.
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Apr 17, 2019 11:22am
@Robin Mitha, why free speech only in Pakistan. There is no free speech in west as well i.e Julian assange just got arrested.
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Apr 17, 2019 11:23am
Legal means?
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Apr 17, 2019 11:23am
rightly pointed out an important matter to the public.very disappointing, bleak state of affairs. this is nothing but strangulation of freedom of press.
thank you Dawn.
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Apr 17, 2019 11:27am
In Pakistan, we lack academic debate on different government and state-related matters. We have two extreme sides, one who extremely criticizing and other blindly supporting government actions. We need who not only criticize/oppose, but also clarify it more by giving rational options and solutions. There are only a few people from media and political parties who can debate it. But, actually, after the emergence of electronic and social media, their voices are not being counted, because of many so-called and self-claimed intellectuals occupied their space.
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Apr 17, 2019 11:32am
The European Parliament has brought new rules to protect whistleblowers. It is unfortunate that freedom of expression is in danger,more particularly on the grounds of national security and state secrets. The arrest of Julian Assange,the founder of whistleblowing site Wikileaks is a glaring example.
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Apr 17, 2019 11:42am
intimidation just makes journalists even stronger and more determined.
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Apr 17, 2019 11:44am
Even Tunisia allowed her civil society to demonstrate against MBS visit despite having close relationships with ask.
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Apr 17, 2019 11:44am
Some journalists who are non-entities purposely malign governmental institutions to gain cheap popularity. This must be stopped with full force of the law. He has full access to the courts to prove his innocence.
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Apr 17, 2019 11:48am
@Robin Mitha, the Zia era is finished. But the damaged it caused was immeasurable. Pakistanis will simply not tolerate another Zia era.
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Apr 17, 2019 11:50am
What free press ?
In the last three or four decades, it has mostly been sponsored campaigns by anti state elements to destroy the institutions, create / encourage confrontations between them at the behest of foreign powers.
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Apr 17, 2019 11:55am
"We must support our rights or lose our character, and with it, perhaps, our liberties." --
James Monroe, 5th US president
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Apr 17, 2019 11:56am
This is high level of intolerance.
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Apr 17, 2019 11:56am
@Syed Noorani, Please be our guest!
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Apr 17, 2019 11:56am
If you gag the press than truth will not come out.
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Apr 17, 2019 12:07pm
Imran Khan is fast becoming nawaz sharif of 90s. Not able to take criticism trying to silence dissent by force.
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Apr 17, 2019 12:17pm
Most of the public themself are not aware of the seriousness of curtailing freedom of speech. That is very much visible from the comments section of this article itself. Many of them think that there is no harm in what is happening now.
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Apr 17, 2019 02:06pm
@Pro Democracy , Agreed. Look at any country that is sponsored and befriended by China. Authoritarianism and dictatorship will follow - that's how China works. Another article in todays paper talks of "Presidential" rule!
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Apr 17, 2019 02:17pm
Without commenting on this, I would like to say that Journalist should be more responsible and have balanced approach. This is the case in India too. Most of them are ill qualified to be an journalist. Mere command over language is not enough. Instead of the providing their opinion, their job should be limited to factual reporting. The readers are sensible enough to form their own opinion. Many times they also cross the borderline.
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Apr 17, 2019 02:40pm
If they can use such tactics against journalists, just think what they do to common and marginalized citizens.
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Apr 17, 2019 04:02pm
Stop anti-govt rhetoric & against ppl of Pakistan.
Everybody will be accountable. Including the guardians
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Apr 17, 2019 05:06pm
@Pro Democracy , yes North Korea and China. That is where the country is heading.
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Apr 17, 2019 05:10pm
@Syed Noorani, no, leaving Pakistan will be a selfish move. Remain and fight for a change, for the country and it's citizens. Bring about a change which will propogate the country to be counted as one to be taken into account in international matters rather than be seen as a pariah.
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Apr 17, 2019 05:21pm
As per Forbes and Times, the world's five deadliest countries for journalists include Afghanistan, Syria, India, Mexico and, for the first time, the United States — where journalists were killed in cold blood, even though those countries weren't at war or in conflict.
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Apr 17, 2019 06:36pm
@Wali, You consider Russia as a free western country ?
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Apr 18, 2019 01:03am
Not many journalists are left with independent opinion. Many have been disappeared or killed or threatened to be quiet. Everybody knows who is doing it but drama continues.
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Apr 18, 2019 06:12am
Dawn is doyen of free speech and expression,as matter of its duty and circumference.The State has
to balance its diplomatic interests on a matter which has all along been much criticised.The fault here
seems to be absence of concerned officer to concretise the case filed.The hint is enough is enough.
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Apr 18, 2019 07:22am
If what is being said is true, the Politicians use all legal brains available to thwart efforts of Government to seek what allegedly was monies embezzled by the very Politicians and or Journalists, accepting favours and in return offering their platform to justify their wrong doings.
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Apr 18, 2019 10:24am
ironically we could not decide till today what sort of system of government should we have on our land. sometimes judicial activism pleases us, somtimes we take refuge in Marshal laws. where do we stand? Qaid e Azam founded this land through a democratic struggle while strictly abiding by the laws of then era. why we remain undecided today? when a country can be achieved through democratic process then why we look after non-democratic forces? yes we heard 'peculiar goebbels' propaganda "democracy is not delivering". but let me ask did marshal laws delivered? while contrary to this dictators have shaken the very foundation of the state. as long as we follow Goebbels followers, we will remain disarray.
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Apr 19, 2019 01:38am
Very bold article. Free press strengthens democracy. All developed countries , modern societies and democracies around the world support free press.
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