In 2024, violence against journalists in Pakistan reached alarming levels. Six media professionals, including a prominent YouTuber, lost their lives, and Freedom Network’s Impunity Report documented 57 violations nationwide. Released on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, the report underscores that, despite protective laws, media workers remain at high risk.
Although Pakistan has the Sindh Protection of Journalists Act and the federal Protection of Journalists Act, enforcement remains weak. Freedom Network’s Executive Director, Iqbal Khattak, emphasized that, without proper implementation, these laws offer little real protection. From November 2023 to August 2024, journalists faced dangers in every corner of the country. Sindh led with 37% of reported violations, followed by Punjab at 23%, Islamabad at 21%, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at 12%, and Balochistan at 3.5%. Television journalists were the hardest hit, with female reporters accounting for 9% of cases.
The report also introduced Pakistan’s first “Media Impunity Index,” ranking regions based on protections for journalists. Sindh scored highest, suggesting better safeguards, while Punjab fell behind, exposing journalists to greater dangers. In light of these findings, Freedom Network urged immediate action, calling on federal and provincial authorities to enforce these protections robustly. Only by ending impunity can Pakistan create a safer environment for its press.
