RMNP & Daily Nawa-I-Ahmedpur Sharqia Mark International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists
Seminar Title: Impact of Amendments to the PECA Act on Freedom of Expression and Journalists in Pakistan
Rural Media Network Pakistan (RMNP), in collaboration with Daily Nawa-i-Ahmedpur Sharqia, organised an inter‑district seminar to observe the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. The event gathered presidents and senior representatives of fourteen press clubs from Bahawalpur, Muzaffargarh, and Rahimyar Khan districts, along with journalists from Daily Nawa-i-Ahmedpur Sharqia.
The seminar was chaired by RMNP President Ehsan Ahmed Sehar, while Sahibzada Muhammad Umar Khan Abbasi delivered the keynote address.
Keynote Address — Sahibzada Muhammad Umar Khan Abbasi
“Freedom of expression and press freedom are essential pillars of democracy.”
In his keynote address, Sahibzada Muhammad Umar Khan Abbasi, grandson of the late Nawab of Bahawalpur and Central Vice President of Muttahida Abbasia International, emphasised that a free press is crucial for democracy and accountability. He stated that:
- There are no ‘sacred cows’ in true democracies, and journalists must be free to question powerful institutions.
- Journalists’ unity is essential to resist pressure and protect rights at both national and regional levels.
- Journalist bodies should sign MoUs with Bar Associations nationwide to secure legal support against restrictive laws.
He welcomed the formation of a Journalists Alliance by twelve press clubs, expressing hope that this initiative will extend across South Punjab. He praised RMNP’s efforts for regional media freedom and presented UNESCO digital training CDs to press club leaders.
Remarks by RMNP President Ehsan Ahmed Sehar
RMNP President Ehsan Ahmed Sehar voiced concern over Pakistan’s decline in the World Press Freedom Index from 152 to 158, calling the trend alarming. He highlighted:
- The passage of PECA amendments without media stakeholder consultation.
- Instances of PECA cases against journalists in Islamabad, Kandhkot, Okara and other areas.
- Increasing challenges faced by women journalists, including exclusion from professional roles and harassment.
He emphasised that press freedom in Pakistan is under threat and urged stronger unity among journalist bodies to resist restrictive laws. RMNP reaffirmed its commitment to supporting regional journalists.
Joint Demands & Resolutions
Participants unanimously demanded:
- Withdrawal of all cases against journalists under PECA
- Mandatory consultation with journalists’ bodies on media legislation
- Full implementation of the Journalist Safety Law (2021) and adoption of provincial laws
- Stronger legal and institutional protections for women journalists
A joint resolution was adopted calling PECA amendments a threat to democracy and demanding immediate withdrawal of cases against media professionals.
RMNP’s Training & Capacity‑Building Contribution
To strengthen journalistic capacity and safety awareness at the grassroots level, RMNP distributed over 200 UNESCO digital CDs containing five books related to journalist safety and investigative journalism. The materials are intended to support professional development in smaller press clubs.
Annual Press Freedom Snapshot
RMNP shared its annual press freedom overview, reporting 154 journalists killed globally in 2025, including:
- 57 in Gaza
- 11 in Ukraine
- 6 in India
- 4 in Bangladesh
- 6 in Pakistan
Certificates of Participation
Key-note Speaker Sahibzada Muhammad Umar Khan Abbasi presented participation certificates to 30 media representatives from fourteen journalistic bodies, including:
Syed Nasir Mehmod Rizvi, Muhammad Suleman Farooqi, Hamidullah Khan Aziz, Muhammad Nasir Khan Niazi, Muhammad Abu Bakar Rongha, Imtiaz Ahmed Khan, Muhammad Safdar Ghallu, Rana Muhammad Qasim, Raees Nisar Ahmed, Shahid Bashir Chaudhry, Abdul Hafeez Anjum, Muhammad Imran, Muhammad Asif Awan, Dilshad Ali, Khalil-ur-Rehman Khokhar, Chaudhry Ahmed Ali, Rana Haroon Abbas, Muhammad Arabi Abbasi, Rana Zulfiqar Ali, Rana Shahzaib, Irshad Ahmed Shad, Muhammad Sajjad, Iftikhar Ahmed Alvi, Ijaz Ahmed Khan, Ammar Hassan Alvi, Imam Bakhsh Bhatti, Shabbir Ahmed Qureshi, Syed Sarfraz Hussain Zaidi, and Ahmed Khan Babar.
Mazhar Rasheed Award Ceremony
Daily Nawa‑i‑Ahmedpur Sharqia presented the first Mazhar Rasheed Best Community Reporting Award to Shahid Bashir Chaudhry, President of Press Club Chani Goth and correspondent for Daily Jang, for highlighting community issues in the region.
Closing & Hospitality
The programme concluded with a luncheon hosted in honour of all participants, fostering regional journalistic solidarity and collective commitment to press freedom.
Presidents of fourteen press clubs hailing from Muzaffargarh, Rahimyarkhan and Bahawalpur districts photographed with Sahibzada Muhammad Umar Abbasi and RMNP President Ehsan Ahmed Sehar
