ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) demanded accountability of press attackers in Pakistan, following a sharp rise in violations. Officials reported 142 cases from November 2024 to September 2025. The body urged federal and provincial governments to investigate attacks swiftly. This push highlights threats to media safety in the country.
The PFUJ demands accountability of press attackers in Pakistan to protect press freedom. Such actions matter across South Asia, where similar assaults stifle dissent and erode democratic oversight. In Pakistan, unpunished crimes foster fear among reporters, impacting regional media networks that cover cross-border issues like security and rights. This surge undermines public access to information, vital for stability in a volatile region.
PFUJ Demands Accountability of Press Attackers in Pakistan
The PFUJ issued a strong statement on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, observed on November 2, 2025. President Afzal Butt and Secretary General Arshad Ansari led the call. They stressed that real press freedom requires punishing those who target media workers.
Crimes against journalists rose by nearly 60% in the past year. Data shows 142 incidents between November 2024 and September 2025. These include assaults, arrests, and threats. The PFUJ noted this creates a climate of fear. It hampers the public’s right to know. The union demanded concrete steps from authorities. Governments must ensure journalist safety. They called for timely probes into attacks. Justice and reparations follow. A safe environment for the press tops the list.
“There can be no real press freedom without accountability for attacks against members of the media,” Butt and Ansari said. Their words echo concerns from media watchdogs.
Pakistan ranks 158th out of 180 in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders. This low spot reflects ongoing risks. Journalists face violence in Punjab and Islamabad, deemed the most dangerous areas.
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The PFUJ rallied support for stronger protections. It urged zero tolerance for impunity. This stance builds on past cases like the murder of Arshad Sharif. His killers remain free years later.
PFUJ-Workers, an affiliate, echoed these views. President Shamim Shahid and Secretary General Raja Riaz Ahmad highlighted unsolved killings. They named Hayatullah Khan and Saleem Shahzad as victims. “Every unpunished attack sends a chilling message: silencing the truth exacts no price,” they stated.
The group pushed for independent investigations. Legal safeguards must cover field and online work. Pakistan should honour UN commitments on journalist safety. No large protests erupted by November 3, 2025. Yet, unions signal readiness for action. This history shows patterns of resistance.
Economic woes add pressure. Layoffs and unpaid salaries plague newsrooms. The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act sees misuse against reporters. Defamation and sedition charges rise too.
PFUJ Black Day Press Freedom: Symbol of Struggle
The PFUJ framed the impunity day as a stark reminder. It symbolises years of unchecked threats. Opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) joined the chorus. Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram called it a repressive chapter in history.
PTI decried a campaign to muzzle dissent. Punjab and Islamabad top danger lists. Arrests and legal cases spike. Akram voiced pain over Sharif’s case. “The regime’s growing intolerance for truth alarms us,” he said. International bodies weighed in. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) slammed the crisis. It noted targeted killings and censorship. IFJ leaders met PFUJ delegates in Paris recently. They added Pakistan to their agenda.
A PFUJ team briefed IFJ on issues. These include PECA misuse and harassment. IFJ urged Pakistan’s leaders to act fast. Global solidarity grows as 2025 marks a bleak year for media. The Pakistan Press Foundation reported 137 targeting incidents from January to October 2025. This data underscores the urgency.
Government Response to PFUJ Demands
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif responded on November 2, 2025. He reaffirmed commitment to press freedom. “A free press is vital to democracy,” he said.
Sharif paid tribute to journalists. He stood with families of the slain. His government pledges effective probes. Justice and legal action against perpetrators follow.
“We will take all necessary measures,” Sharif stated. He called on global players to help. Media groups and civil society must safeguard reporters.
This aligns with PFUJ goals. Yet, implementation remains key. Past pledges often falter, per union critiques. Pakistan’s constitution guarantees free expression. Practice falls short. Law enforcement must step up. Judiciary plays a role too.
Background: Rising Threats to Journalists
Attacks trace back decades. High-profile cases like Arshad Sharif’s exile and death highlight impunity. Sharif fled threats before his 2022 killing in Kenya.
Recent data from PFUJ and watchdogs paint a grim picture. The 60% rise alarms experts. Rural reporters face extra risks. Women journalists report harassment. Economic strain worsens matters. Media outlets cut staff amid ad slumps. Owners bow to pressure sometimes.
South Asia sees parallels. India and Bangladesh report similar curbs. Regional forums like SAARC could address this. But progress stalls. PFUJ pushes for a dedicated safety law. Training for police on media rights helps. Hotlines for threats gain traction.
What’s Next: Path to Accountability
The PFUJ demands accountability of press attackers in Pakistan will shape coming weeks. Unions eye government moves closely. A November 8 deadline from past plans lingers in memory.
Watchdogs predict more calls if impunity persists. International pressure mounts via IFJ. Sharif’s team faces tests in probes. Success hinges on swift action. Punished cases deter future attacks. A safer press bolsters democracy.
In the end, the PFUJ demands accountability of press attackers in Pakistan stand as a beacon. They remind all that truth’s guardians deserve shields, not swords.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, November 3rd, 2025
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