ISLAMABAD: Several press freedom and human rights groups have expressed concerns about the sustained deterioration of media freedom in Pakistan and urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take immediate steps to protect journalists from violence and unlawful interference in line with the government’s commitment under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

In a Feb 25 letter sent to the PM via email, these organisations said press freedom declined following the recent constitutional amendment, which established the Federal Constitutional Court — a “development that has coincided with a weakening of judicial oversight and accountability in cases involving attacks on the media”.

The letter was endorsed by the Rep­orters Without Borders, the Committee to Protect Journalists, the International Press Insti­t­ute, Forum Asia, the Human Rights Com­mission of Pakistan, Freedom Network, Bytes for All and other local and international groups.

“Rather than strengthening protections for journalists, these changes have contributed to a more restrictive and uncertain environment for independent journalism,” it said, claiming that judicial inaction in high-profile murder cas­es reinforced a “pattern of impunity” that continued to endanger the press.

In a letter to PM, watchdogs and rights groups say 27th Amendment has hurt media freedom; call for protection against intimidation, violence; repeal of Peca

“In the period following the amendment, journalists across Pakistan have faced increased legal harassment, inti­midation, surveillance, regulatory scrutiny, and threats — all of which have had a chilling effect on press freedom,” the letter said, while calling out the persistent failure of authorities to ensure acco­untability for crimes against journalists.

It demanded that Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016 be urgently repealed or substantially amended, including the 2025 amendments, to protect press freedom and end its misuse against journalists. “Peca’s vague provisions enable arbitrary FIRs, arrests, and prosecutions of journalists…for legitimate reporting on state institutions, creating a chilling effect on free expression. These abuses violate international freedom of expression standards and must be reformed to safeguard journalists’ constitutional rights and the public’s right to information.”

The letter urged the government to im­­mediately release journalist Sohrab Barkat, who has been facing a case under the Peca, 2016.

“Despite being granted bail by the Supreme Court on December 18th, he has not been released. His prolonged detention raises serious concerns about due process and has contributed to the closure of his employer’s Islamabad office.”

It also urged the government to end impunity for murders of journalists and ensure justice for Arshad Sharif, Shan Dahar, and Imtiaz Mir.

It also asked the authorities to stop intimidating journalists, including Nadir Abbas Baloch who faced harassment and was also summoned by the police ostensibly in connection with his reporting on human rights and misuse of blasphemy law.

It also called for an end to the prosecution and conviction of Pakistani journalists living overseas. “We urge your government to halt judicial action against foreign-based journalists for their reporting or commentary, review relevant laws to ensure alignment with international standards on freedom of expression, and reaffirm that journalists and criticism of public institutions are protected,” it added.

The letter also sought protection for Afghan journalists living in exile in Pakistan amid a “recent surge in the detentions and deportations”.

“Deportation could expose them to serious retaliation, arbitrary detention, violence, or death. We urge the government to immediately halt deportations of journalists and media workers at risk and uphold the principle of non-refoulement for individuals facing credible threats due to their journalistic work.”

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2026