ISLAMABAD: Pakistani President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to express "alarm and deep concern" over the alleged harassment of journalists in the country, saying a "reign of terror" had been unleashed against dissenting voices in the media.
Pakistan is considered a dangerous country for journalists who often face violence, legal cases, abductions, detentions and threats from both state and non-state actors.
In May, the country fell 12 points on the World Press Freedom Index from 145 in 2021 to 157 in 2022.
Alvi's letter comes soon after the arrest of a TV anchorman, Imran Riaz Khan, who is widely considered a supporter of now ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan and a critic of the powerful military. Alvi is a close Imran Khan aide.
Khan was ousted as prime minister through a no-confidence vote in the parliament in April and contends his removal was part of a US plot, a charge Washington denies. Since his ouster, Khan has widely condemned the new government as being "imported" and chided the powerful military, including the army chief, for not blocking his ouster. Many prominent journalists have since openly declared their allegiances with or against Khan.
In his letter, Alvi mentioned various recent cases of violence against journalists.
"Among those killed were Mr. Aziz Memon and Mr. Nazim Jokhio. Mr. Matiullah Jan was abducted in broad daylight from a busy area of Islamabad. Mr. Asad Ali Toor and Mr. Absar Alam were assaulted and injured by unidentified men," the president wrote.
"Mr. Ayaz Amir was attacked, humiliated and bruised by unknown persons on the road during rush hours in the presence of many eyewitnesses in Lahore. Multiple FIRs [police reports] have been registered against Mr. Sami Ibrahim, Mr. Arshad Sharif, Mr. Sabir Shakir, Mr. Imran Riaz Khan and Mr. Moeed Pirzada at various Police Stations in a number of cities across the country."
Alvi said these examples reflected a mindset of intolerance and had negative repercussions both for the future of democracy as well as freedom of expression as guaranteed by Article 19 of the Pakistani constitution.
"Besides creating fear in Pakistan, such actions also come under international focus and tarnish the image of our country," he said.
"Journalists in Pakistan are subjected to charges of sedition and terrorism to stifle dissent and criticism against the powerful elements of state ... It appears that a reign of terror has been unleashed against the media persons who have independent opinions."
The president appealed to the PM not to allow "oppression and persecution of intelligentsia and journalists" and asked him to order law enforcement agencies to ensure the protection of media persons.
"In this regard, politicians across the aisle should also play their role to save the journalists from highhandedness of unknown and unscrupulous elements. I would like to be informed of the remedial actions taken as per article 46 of our Constitution," he added, which relates to the PM keeping the president informed on all matters of internal and foreign policy and all legislative proposals the federal government intends to bring before parliament.
