Government Forms 12-Member Commission for Protection of Journalists; RMNP Welcomes Decision

ByEditorial Staff
Government forms 12-member Commission for the Protection of Journalists.

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has constituted a 12-member Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals, a long-awaited step aimed at safeguarding the rights, safety, and welfare of media workers nationwide.

According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the independent commission will function under the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021. It has been tasked with monitoring violations against journalists, recommending protective measures, and advising the government on media safety policies.

A Longstanding Demand of Media Workers

The formation of the commission has been a persistent demand of journalists’ unions and press freedom advocates across the country. Media organisations have repeatedly highlighted the urgent need for an institutional mechanism to address threats, harassment, and attacks targeting media professionals.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Rural Media Network Pakistan (RMNP) welcomed the government’s decision, terming it “a positive and overdue step toward strengthening journalist safety and press freedom in Pakistan.” RMNP urged the authorities to ensure that the commission is fully empowered and functions independently and transparently.

Composition of the Commission

The 12-member commission comprises journalists representing leading press associations and unions from across Pakistan, along with two ex-officio members from the federal government. The body is represented by all three major factions of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ).

Members include:

  • Nayyer Ali, Secretary, National Press Club
  • Ghulam Nabi Yousafzai, Secretary, Press Association of the Supreme Court
  • Naveed Akbar Chaudhary, Parliamentary Reporters Association of Pakistan
  • Afzal Butt, President, PFUJ (Barna)
  • Hassan Abbas, PFUJ (Barna – Rana Azem group)
  • Nawaz Raza, PFUJ (Dastoor)
  • Tahir Hassan Khan, Karachi Union of Journalists
  • Tamsela Chishti, Punjab Union of Journalists
  • Nadia Saboohi, Khyber Union of Journalists
  • Khalil Ahmed, Balochistan Union of Journalists

Two federal government officials will serve as ex-officio members.

Mandate Under the 2021 Act

Under the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021, the commission’s responsibilities include:

  • Investigating complaints of threats, harassment, or violence against journalists
  • Ensuring implementation of safety protocols for media workers
  • Recommending legal aid and support for journalists facing threats
  • Advising the government on policy reforms to strengthen press freedom

Press freedom groups have called on the government to provide adequate resources and autonomy to ensure the commission can operate effectively and deliver timely protection to journalists across Pakistan.

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