LAHORE: Senior journalist Rana Abrar Khalid’s request for information on gifts received by the prime minister from foreign governments has been blocked repeatedly by the Cabinet Division on the grounds that such information is classified. The HRCP has expressed concern over it. “This contravenes the Right to Information Act 2017. We have also received credible…
UNITED NATIONS: A United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) committee Monday unanimously adopted a Pakistan-sponsored resolution that called for a multidimensional response to counter all forms of disinformation eroding human rights. The 25-power resolution, Countering Disinformation for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, was the outcome of extensive consultations with all member…
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan will take up next week the case regarding harassment of journalists. Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umer Ata Bandial has constituted a three-member larger bench headed by Justice Ijazul Ahsen and comprising Justice Muneeb Akhtar and Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin Ahmed. According to the cause list issued for…
WASHINGTON: A spokesperson of the Pakistani Embassy has brushed aside a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW), a New York-based watchdog body, about Pakistani government plans to set up the Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA) though an ordnance, saying the claim was “factually incorrect.” “There is no plan to introduce the regulatory body through an…
ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court of Pakistan Monday held in abeyance Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s order on harassment and intimidation of journalists, saying it is difficult to be implemented. A five-member larger bench of the apex court headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Qazi Muhammad…
A group of media support organisations, including the IFJ, has called on the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) of governments to commit and take immediate action to support Afghan media workers. The media support organisations recommend a number of immediate actions that can be taken by the MFC to support those at risk and urge a coordinated…