FN Threat Data Analysis – January 2024
The year 2024 starts with 11 cases of different threat categories, including threat to harm, legal action, attempt to murder, assault without injury, were monitored and documented during January this year.
Islamabad-based media watchdog organization Freedom Network documents threat cases against journalists through Pakistan Press Club Safety Hubs Network programme since 2016.
Freedom Network is manning five safety hubs across Pakistan to monitor and document these violations and assist journalists at risks in partnership with five biggest press clubs of the country, including Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Islamabad and Peshawar.
THREAT TO HARM
Islamabad-based Daily Ausaf and ABN News channel reporter Nadeem Chaudhry, broke a story on January 11 2024 on alleged “corruption” in Pakistan Works Department (PWD). The reporter contacted a senior PWD official to get the PWD version through WhatsApp message and calls. The journalist was not provided with official version by the official and the report was published without official comments.
On January 26, the reporter broadcast another report about a new Islamabad High Court building in Islamabad. As the report went on-air, the official threatened the reporter with legal notice through WhatsApp message.
The reporter submitted an application with police. The official called the reporter twice and abused him for his investigative report. “I am the joint secretary and Jutt of Sialkot and I would not spare you,” the reporter was threatened. “I will strangle you and drag you through the streets of Islamabad, you will not survive now.” The reporter alerted the National Press Club and journalists’ organization about the matter. The reporter has recorded all the evidence and filed application with police against the PWD official.
THREAT TO LEGAL ACTION (by private party or state – law related)
GM Lond, a local journalist of city Kachhu near Sehwan, was tortured by a security guard of former PPP MNA Rafiq Jamali and close associates for questioning his poor performance in Johi Tehsil of Sehwan District in Sindh province.
Journalist GM Lond said that on 13 January 2024 he was tortured for asking the former MNA about his “poor performance” in Kachhu during the previous PPP government in Sindh province. According to the reporter, even after a week ago, Gaji Shah Juhi Police arrested him and threatened him with serious consequences if he broadcast news showing poor performance of PPP.
ATTACKS on home/property/assets of journalists
ARY News channel sports anchor Shoaib Jutt was robbed by unknown persons outside his house snatching his mobile phone and threatened with death.
Shoaib Jutt, a member of Karachi Press Club and Karachi Union of Journalists, was stopped by unknown armed men near his house in Karachi on 02 January 2024. They threatened him with “dire consequences” and snatched his mobile phone and fled. Shoaib Jutt filed an FIR with Nazimabad police station. Earlier, he also received “death threats” for speaking against “sports mafia”.
ATTEMPT TO MURDER (survived assassination attempt)
Unidentified motorcyclists attacked Suno News channel bureau chief Shoaib Burney on January 14 on Rashid Minhas Road in Karachi. Unidentified motorcyclists opened fire on the car of Suno News channel’s bureau chief. The incident happened when the journalist was traveling alone in his car. Burney sustained a bullet wound in his left hand. He was taken to the nearest hospital for medical treatment where his condition was out of danger. Soon after the incident, police and security personnel rushed to the scene and began a search operation in the area.
In a video statement, the journalist said that two armed men on a motorbike followed his car and fired at him when he was driving a car on Rashid Minhas Road. “The bullet smashed the right window of the car and hit my hand,” he added.
The FB Industrial Area Police Station filed FIR No. 6/24 and began investigations to determine the identify and motive of individuals who shot at journalists Burney. The FIR was filed on the complaint of the wounded journalist against unknown attackers under Sections 324 (attempted murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
ASSAULT WITHOUT INJURY (manhandling etc.)
Three Journalists and three cameramen were tortured during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf rally in Karachi on 28 January 2024. The journalist were baton-charged, to stop them from covering the political party’s election-related protest.
The PTI supporters staged a rally at Teen Talwar area in Karachi. Journalists covering the rally were tortured by police when. ARY News channel Reporter Afzal Pervez, PNN channel Reporter Salman, Haji Salman of Aik News channel were tortured by South Police. Cameraman Altaf Hussain got injured whereas cameraman Mohammad Abbas of Geo News was also tortured during the rally.
DSP Defense Zulfiqar ordered police to attack journalists. He also joined his fellow cops to attack Suno News cameraman Ahmar Abbas breaking his camera. Ahmar Abbas lost his camera and footage was also destroyed by police. The police refused to return him the camera. However, after the intervention of SSP South, the DSP returned the camera, but memory cards were stolen.
ACTUAL LEGAL ACTION (civil or criminal + specific law)
Police registered an FIR against Masood Ahmed Lehri, correspondent of Daily Azadi on 15 January 2024 for covering a rally held in support of Baloch Yakjehti Committee’s sit-in in Wadh area in Khuzdar district of Baluchistan.
Baluchistan Union of Journalists demanded immediate withdrawal of the FIR.
Meanwhile, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) served on 25 January 2024 notices on some 40 persons, including some journalists and YouTubers. The journalists and YouTubers include Asad Ali Toor, Ms Paras Jahanzeb, Iqrarul Hassan, Siddique Jan, Matiullah Jan, Arif Hameed Bhatti.
The FIA notices follow a government investigation into a “malicious campaign” against the Supreme Court judges who upheld the Election Commission of Pakistan appeal against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf election symbol “bat.”
The Supreme Court stopped the FIA from proceedings against the journalist during a hearing of a case the day after the notices were served.
Threats, Attacks, and Harassment against Various Types of Media:
Two print journalist, eight television and one internet received these threats during January 2024.
Threat Actors Attacking and Harassing Journalists and Media:
Nine state actors and two unknown actors were believed involved in these threats these journalists faced.
Caption: Suno News channel bureau chief Shoaib Burney is receiving medical treatment after attacked in Karachi.
