New York Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urged PML-N government immediately drop his investigations against journalists Sami Abraham, Arshad Sharif, Sabir Shakir and Imran Riaz Khan.
AT official statement, independent media observers called on the authorities to refrain from arresting and harassing journalists in retribution for them work.
Since May 18, police across the country have filed several FIRs, which have opened an investigation. against journalists associated with private TV channels.
spill of The investigation takes place against a backdrop of physical, legal and online harassment of journalists following the parliamentary elections of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on April 11, after the exile former Prime Minister Imran Khan in a no-confidence vote. On May 4, Prime Minister Shahbaz tweeted that new government was “completely committed to freedom of press and speech.
Among other offenses, four journalists are accused by numerous FIRs. of violating sections of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) regarding incitement of mutiny and publication of statements that cause public evil, criticizing state institutions in their journalistic work and not specified social media messages. Incitement of mutiny can carry a life sentence and an indeterminate fine, and public mischief can be prison sentence of seven years and an unspecified fine, according to the law.
“Launch of the authorities of Pakistan of blizzard of troubling criminal investigations of journalists perceived as sympathizers former resolution party ridicules of his statements about defending press freedom,” said Stephen Butler, CPJ Asia Program Coordinator, in Washington.
“Authorities should withdraw the investigation against Sami Abraham, Imran Riaz Khan, Arshad Sharif and Sabir Shakir and ensure that members of the press is not face retribution for their comment on in military or any other institutions in Pakistan.”
At least three of FIR – which were filed by the police in Quetta, Pishin and Chaman in southwestern province of Balochistan – Abraham, Sharif and Shakir are accused together of work together to vilify state institutions through their journalistic work and comments, according to these three journalists and copies of EPI reviewed by CPJ.
Abraham told CPJ via phone that it is the subject of least one additional FIR filed by the police in Attock on May 18, blaming him of conspiracy planning and criticism of government agencies and the army on your YouTube channel, without specifying specific videos.
