Pakistan’s media landscape has faced constraints on free expression over the past year, as highlighted by the Islamabad-based media watchdog, Freedom Network. The report titled ‘Regulatory Repression of Freedom of Expression – Legal Controls and PECA Undermine Media and Journalism in Pakistan’ points out that the amended Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) has become a significant tool in curbing journalists and free speech in the country.
The report reveals that the PECA law has been increasingly utilized to criminalize lawful expression, target dissent, and intimidate journalists, lawyers, and political commentators. This trend has instilled a climate of fear among journalists, leading to self-censorship to avoid legal repercussions. Freedom Network released this report ahead of World Press Freedom Day, observed globally on May 3 each year.
Freedom Network’s Executive Director, Iqbal Khattak, emphasized the weaponization of PECA as a severe threat to media freedom in Pakistan. The report cites instances of human rights lawyers, such as Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, facing convictions, indicating the use of custodial sentences to discourage dissent. Additionally, numerous journalists have been charged under PECA, while defamation cases, regulatory suspensions, and internet shutdowns have further constrained independent journalism.
The report also sheds light on state-led efforts to combat disinformation and hate speech, often accompanied by increased surveillance and selective enforcement. Journalist safety remains a concern, with the report documenting 129 verified violations between April 2025 and March 2026. Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were identified as high-risk regions for journalists, with state authorities accounting for a significant portion of violations through legal and custodial actions.
Female journalists in Pakistan face additional challenges, including economic pressures, job insecurity, and gender-based risks. The report underscores the marginalization of female journalists in the media sector, citing instances of harassment, online abuse, and workplace discrimination. These issues, compounded by deepfake abuse and detentions, highlight the persistent obstacles faced by journalists in Pakistan.
