ISLAMABAD: Pakistani journalists and media houses during the year 2015 saw dramatic increase in censorship and silent, but potent crackdown on dissent and freedom of expression during the incumbent democratic setup which was never seen in previous civilian set ups.

Freedom Network, an independent Pakistani media and civil liberties watchdog pinpointed this fact in its annual report saying that although 2014 was the deadliest year for journalists with 14 casualties, yet increased censorship and crackdown on freedom of expression in 2015 was ever seen during civilian government.

“From gag orders issued by the media sector regulator against TV channels to ban clamped under court orders on coverage of politicians on media to repeated government warnings to media for commenting on foreign relations, the year 2015 proved to be the year of censorship for media in Pakistan,” said Freedom Network in its annual state of the media report released here on Tuesday.

The report titled, “Growing Sounds of Silence – The Year of Censorship,” expresses concern at what it termed is a growing trend to browbeat the media into relative silence on issues that require rising of controversial questions for their resolution.

The report said that there may have been statistically fewer murders of journalists, media assistants and activists in 2015 in Pakistan – seven – than in 2014, the climate in which they operated grew ominous with growing ease by state and non-state actors on how media did its traditional job of being the guardians of public interest.

The report listed four journalists killed in Pakistan in 2015 for their work, including reporter Zafarullah Jatak of Intekhab newspaper (Jafarabad, Balochistan), tribal journalist Zaman Mehsud (Tank, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), journalist Hafizur Rehman of Neo TV (Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and journalist Aftab Alam (Karachi, Sindh).

The number of media assistants killed in Pakistan in 2015 were two, including Bol TV Human Resources Manager Nauman Ali and Geo News DSNG technician Arshad Ali – both in Karachi, Sindh. Media activist killed in 2015 included prominent human rights defender Sabeen Mahmud, also in Karachi.

The number of journalists and media assistants attacked and injured was ten, which included one women journalist. There was also a marked increase in journalists picked up from homes and offices recorded in 2015 – nine. Among these picked up journalists most were tribal journalists.

The year 2015 was significant in terms of fighting impunity of crimes against media and its practitioners. Sindh Rangers announced arrest of Faisal ‘Mota’ – convicted in murder case of Geo News reporter Wali Khan Babar. The Sindh government also made public the arrest of mastermind of murder of media activist and human rights defender Sabeen Mahmud. Balochistan government also recorded some progress to fight back the impunity under former chief minister Dr Abdul Malik leadership releasing findings of judicial commission into killing of journalists and also arresting alleged killers of journalists Irshad Mastoi and Abdur Rasool and media assistant Muhammad Younas.

Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh provinces witnessed attacks on journalists, media assistants and media activist in 2015. All the four provinces had witnessed similar situation journalists faced while North and South Waziristan continue to be ‘no-go’ areas for journalists unless embedded with the military or militants.

Pakistan returned to the notorious practice of ‘press advise’ in 2015 with regulatory authorities for both print and electronic – Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and Press Council of Pakistan (PCP) – regularly ‘advising’ the free press to avoid criticism of Saudi Arabia for its war with Yemen or Haj stampede.

Dera Bugti-based journalist Manzoor Ahmed Bugti continues his ordeal since he went missing on November 7, 2014 from Quetta, provincial capital of Balochistan province. His family avoids taking up the missing journalist case as it was ‘told’ he would ‘soon return home.’ It didn’t happen in 2015. May be 2016 will be different in this case.

The News

Former Justice Wajihuddin Ahmed told Business Recorder that under the law, a citizen has the right to register a complaint against those he/she suspects through an FIR, however, if the complaint is lodged maliciously then the affected person can file a suit for defamation over malicious prosecution under criminal law.

Iqbal Khattak, executive Director of Freedom Network (FN), said that probe in the attack on Mir will be the litmus test of justice for the media. ?”What is more worrying is the fact that media owners, working journalists and government ministers are sharply divided on how to tackle the ever increasing security threats Pakistani media is facing,” Khattak said.

Senior journalist Mazhar Abbas pointed out that it is critical to investigate prior to accusing any one or any entity of complicity. Chairperson of Defence of Human Rights Amina Masood Janjua said the missing persons’ case was highlighted by Mir and she and all the families of the missing persons will keep praying for his health, prosperity and long life always.

Business Recorder

“What Chishti has described is shocking that the Karachi police could kidnap a journalist to deliver him to the Boss,” FN said.

Ali Chishti, who writes for Pakistani and foreign publications on security issues, went on air on Friday night to describe his ordeal after being picked up from Karachi’s PECHS area along with his driver on August 30 at around 8pm by “uniformed personnel” of the Karachi police.

“Upon enquiry, I was told that I am not being kidnapped but someone wanted to see me; when I asked who?” They said “Boss,” Chishti said.

“Chishti’s kidnapping is the second case after journalist Abdul Razki Baloch’s body was found with signs of torture on August 21 in Karachi. Anything less than a thorough investigation under the supervision of a Sindh High Court judge will not take us to facts,” FN demanded of the Sindh chief minister. Meanwhile, Senator Saeed Ghani of the Pakistan People’s Party has contacted Chishti and promised an investigation.

Daily Times