In a sobering ceremony held in Islamabad, the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) launched its Pakistan Media Freedom Report 2024–25, titled “Pain of Chain”, revealing a distressing landscape for journalism in the country. The report paints a grim picture of systematic oppression, unchecked violence, and legislative overreach threatening the very foundation of free speech and press freedom.
A Year of Suppression: Killings, Threats, and Censorship
According to the report, between May 3, 2024, and May 3, 2025, seven journalists were killed, and no perpetrator has been brought to justice. The report documents 104 incidents of harassment, including kidnappings, physical torture, and fabricated legal cases filed against journalists. These incidents reflect a worsening environment for the press, where safety is elusive and accountability is absent.
The report places Pakistan at 152nd in the World Press Freedom Index, a position that underscores the country’s alarming descent into media repression. CPNE has urged the government to withdraw controversial laws such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2025 and the Defamation Act 2024, both of which are described as direct assaults on freedom of expression.
Controversial Laws Passed Without Stakeholder Input
One of the most critical findings of the report is the lack of consultation with media stakeholders in drafting and passing key legislation. Both Punjab’s provincial government and the federal authorities passed sweeping laws that significantly curb journalistic freedoms, without involving journalists, editors, or media rights organizations.
The PECA Act 2025, in particular, has become a lightning rod for criticism. Journalists and civil rights activists alike have condemned the law as vague, overreaching, and ripe for misuse—allowing the state to silence dissent under the guise of cybersecurity and morality.
Voices From the Ceremony: Condemnation and Calls for Unity
During the launch event, CPNE President Kazim Khan solemnly dedicated the report to the martyred journalists of the past year. This report is not just a collection of statistics, he said, it is a testament to the courage of those who paid the price for truth.
International voices also joined the condemnation. Anthony Dominic, President of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), emphasized the need for dialogue and demanded that all amendments to PECA and other media laws be made in consultation with journalists and press freedom groups.
Rehan Ahmed, a senior journalist, read a message from Azhar Abbas, President of AMAND (Association of Media and News Directors), which highlighted the mounting pressure on media houses, including financial punishments and editorial interference for reporting truthfully.
Growing Fear and Fractures Within the Media
Prominent journalist Mazhar Abbas lamented that the state of fear has grown so extreme that media organizations can no longer publish a joint editorial in protest against repressive laws. This shows how divided and vulnerable we have become, he stated.
Hamid Mir, another veteran journalist, shared that eight prominent anchors have recently been forced off air due to state pressure, echoing the media suppression seen in previous political regimes. The cycle of censorship and intimidation is repeating itself,he warned.
Arshad Ansari, a journalist leader, delivered a stark reminder: Not a single journalist’s killer has been convicted. The culture of impunity continues, and this emboldens those who wish to silence the media.
Human Rights Watchdog Speaks Out
Haris Khaliq, Secretary General of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), criticized the prevailing system, calling it a colonial hangover where state institutions exercise unchecked authority. He called for an overhaul of the power dynamics that allow such systemic control over media and civil society.
A Call to Action
The CPNE report concludes with a powerful appeal to the government, civil society, and international watchdogs. It urges:
- Immediate repeal of the PECA Act 2025 and Defamation Act 2024
- Formation of an independent media commission with journalists and legal experts
- Justice for the families of slain journalists
- Protection mechanisms for reporters facing threats
- Freedom from political and commercial censorship
The Pain of Chain report is more than a warning—it is a wake-up call. In a democracy, the press must remain free to report, question, and criticize without fear. As the battle for media freedom intensifies, the voices of journalists must not be silenced. Pakistan’s democratic future depends on the freedom of its press.
