A human rights organization has criticized the Anti-Terrorism Court in Pakistan for convicting and sentencing a group of journalists and commentators living abroad. The court handed double life imprisonment to YouTuber Adil Raja, ex-army official Syed Akbar Hussain, and journalists Wajahat Saeed Khan, Sabir Shakir, Moeed Pirzada, Shaheen Sehbai, and Haider Mehdi. These convictions are linked to alleged “digital terrorism” during the unrest following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on May 9, 2023.
The International Human Rights Foundation raised concerns about the lack of notification, access to evidence, and fair trial opportunities for the accused individuals. It highlighted potential violations of due process, judicial independence, and Pakistan’s international human rights commitments. The organization emphasized the importance of upholding constitutional guarantees and international legal standards, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Critics worry that the legal actions against these journalists and commentators could erode democratic governance and essential freedoms in Pakistan. The International Human Rights Foundation, along with other bodies like the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the International Commission of Jurists, has expressed apprehension over recent constitutional amendments in Pakistan. These changes are seen as threats to judicial independence, the rule of law, and institutional checks and balances.
The use of counterterrorism measures against journalists and dissenting voices, especially those in exile, is part of a broader trend of judicial harassment and transnational repression, according to the International Human Rights Foundation. It warned that opaque legal processes without proper safeguards could be misused to silence critics globally. The organization urged the international community, including press-freedom advocates and UN entities, to monitor the situation closely and intervene to protect journalists facing politically motivated persecution.
