Pakistan: One of the Most Dangerous Countries for Journalists

By Mishal Zia | April 15, 2024 | Islamabad, Pakistan

According to the BBC, Pakistan is considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world for media representatives. Journalists who investigate corruption, expose abuse, or report on sensitive issues face constant threats, harassment, and even physical harm.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan’s military, has been accused of monitoring journalists and using gathered information to justify arrests. This surveillance contributes to a climate of fear, making it difficult for reporters to carry out their work freely and safely.

In 2023, Pakistan was ranked eleventh on the Committee to Protect Journalists’ (CPJ) Global Impunity Index, which measures how frequently journalists are killed without those responsible facing justice. While some provinces have laws protecting media personnel, these measures remain insufficient. At the federal level, a law was passed in 2021 to provide some safeguards, but significant gaps persist.

One major problem is that Pakistan has not ratified the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons against Enforced Disappearances, meaning that forced disappearances are not formally recognized as crimes. Journalists who report critically on powerful institutions are often at risk of disappearing without legal recourse.

Media experts warn that as political unrest intensifies, the situation for journalists is expected to deteriorate further. “As long as the nation remains politically tumultuous, things will only get worse for journalists,” many report. The combination of weak legal protections, political instability, and surveillance makes Pakistan a perilous environment for those committed to telling the truth.

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