FN Threat Data Analysis – October 2024
The Freedom Network (FN) documented sixteen distinct cases of threats against journalists during October 2024, categorized as follows:

Threat to Murder
Threat of Harm (Non-Murder Related)
Threat of Legal Action (by private parties or the state, law-related)
Actual Legal Action (Civil or Criminal, specifying the relevant laws)
Arrest (based on case filing, FIR, or formal accusations)
These incidents were reported through the Pakistan Press Club Safety Hubs Network, a program managed by FN since 2016. In collaboration with the six largest press clubs in Pakistan—Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Quetta, Islamabad, and Peshawar—the program monitors and documents violations against media practitioners while providing essential support to journalists at risk.

Threat to Murder
Journalist: Qazi Fazlullah, Correspondent for Geo News
Date & Location: October 12, 2024, Landikotal, Khyber district (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Incident Summary:
On October 12, 2024, Qazi Fazlullah, President of the Tribal Union of Journalists (TUJ) and a senior journalist from Landikotal, received “threatening messages” via WhatsApp from individuals claiming association with a militant organization. This incident followed a violent attack on October 8, when his two sons and a nephew were critically injured in an assault by an unknown assailant while returning home in Asad Town in Peshawar district.
Threat Developments:
Complaint Filed: Qazi Fazlullah lodged an FIR with Nasir Bagh Police Station, Peshawar, alleging that the threats were linked to the same organization.
Police Advisory: Authorities advised him to limit non-essential travel and install CCTV cameras at his residence for added security.
 
Assault without Injury (Manhandling etc.)
Journalists: Abdul Qayyum Afridi (Neo News channel), Shahabuddin (Samaa News channel), Wajid Shahzad (GNN News channel)
Other Media Professionals: Mehran Munir (Cameraman), Yasir Khattak, Khurram Jalil, Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Hassan (Cameraman), and Daniyal Ahmed (DSNG Engineer)
Date & Location: October 5, 2024, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Incident Summary: Journalists covering a PTI rally led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on the motorway were assaulted; PTI workers misbehaved and snatched the journalists’ equipment. Other incidents of police brutality happened in various locations where police started shelling. Police halted the DSNG van of GNN News channel at the Thatta Khalil flyover and broken the van’s windscreen with sticks.
Threat Actors: PTI workers, State authorities

Actual Legal Action (Civil or Criminal + Specific Law)
Journalists: Farooq Mehsud, Ishtiaq Mehsud, and Muhammad Aslam, members of Mehsud Press Club (South Waziristan)
Date & Location: October 8, 2024, South Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Incident Summary:
Farooq Mehsud, Ishtiaq Mehsud, and Muhammad Aslam, senior journalists from the merged districts formerly known as FATA, were included in the Fourth Schedule by the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA). This classification was due to their alleged support for the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM). The inclusion significantly limited their personal freedoms, allowing authorities to impose restrictions on travel, finances, and other liberties.
Threat Actors: State Authorities
Post-Incident Developments:
Journalist Union’s Response: Freedom Network, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and other media organizations cried foul at the inclusion of these journalists in the Fourth Schedule and demanded withdrawal pressing the district administration of South Waziristan to intervene. Subsequently, the district administration requested the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s Home and Tribal Affairs Department to remove the journalists’ names from the Fourth Schedule.
Outcome: The names of the journalists were removed from the proscribed list.

Arrest (Based on Case/FIR/Formal Accusation)
Journalist: Ihsan Naseem, Daily Abbaseen and Neo News channel
Date & Location: October 7, 2024, Battagram
Incident Summary:
Ihsan Naseem, editor-in-chief of Daily Abbaseen and reporter for Neo News, was arrested under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO). His arrest followed the district administration’s issuance of a warrant on October 6, citing his coverage and online sharing of political activities related to the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM). He was sent to central prison for one month.
Threat Actors: State authorities

Threat of Legal Action
Journalist: Ehtisham Khan, Express News channel
Date & Location: October 7, 2024, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Incident Summary:
Ehtisham Khan, a journalist with Express News, appeared on a TV channel to discuss the alleged misuse of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government resources during a protest against the federal government. Following his refusal to disclose sources, government officials threatened him with legal consequences.
Threat Actors: State Authorities
Post-Incident Developments:
Media Response: Freedom Network and the Khyber Union of Journalists (KUJ) condemned the threats, calling the government’s actions an attack on press freedom. They emphasized that Khan was made subject to harassment for his comments, adding that  framing any punitive action would be as an attack on the journalist community as a whole.

Threat of Harm (Non-Murder Related)
Journalist: Salim Mirani, 24 News channel
Date & Location: October 29, 2024, Shikarpur, Sindh
Incident Summary:
Salim Mirani, a reporter for 24 News channel, posted on social media about a serious security incident in Rustam police jurisdiction, where robbers took three vehicles and passengers’ hostage. Following this, he received threats to withdraw the post or face consequences. Later, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Shikarpur arrived at Mirani’s office with a police force, attempting to detain him.
Threat Actors: State authorities
Post-Incident Developments:
Media Group’s Response: A large group of journalists from the Kandhkot Press Club protested the harassment, forcing the SHO to flee. The journalists called on the Sindh Inspector General and DIG Larkana to take action against the SHO for violating press freedom and threatening a journalist’s safety.

Threat Actors
Threat actors are entities responsible for originating threats. These include:
State Actors
Non-State Actors
Political Parties
Criminal Gangs
Unknown Sources

Threats, Attacks, and Harassment
During October 2024, threats targeted eight TV journalists, six other media professionals one radio journalist, and one digital journalist across various regions. This data illustrates the diverse challenges faced by media professionals and underscores the pressing need for safeguards to protect press freedom.