ISLAMABAD: Freedom Network documented 97 violations against journalists in Pakistan between October 2025 and August 2026, including 45 legal actions or threats, in a report released on Thursday.
The Islamabad-based watchdog recorded 13 legal actions and 32 threats of legal action during the period. Punjab accounted for 49 cases, the highest number nationwide.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad and Balochistan followed. The report also recorded one work-related killing, three attempted assassinations, 18 threats of murder or harm and 11 assaults. Although the total number of reported violations declined, Freedom Network warned that journalists continued to face serious risks.
Its Impunity Report 2026, titled “From Violence to Lawfare: Process as Punishment for Journalists”, identifies growing pressure through legal proceedings.
The watchdog linked this trend to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency’s (NCCIA) enforcement of it.
According to the report, cybercrime complaints increasingly involve allegations of defamation, false information and damage to reputation.
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Some cases concern reporting on public spending, corruption or official conduct. Journalists can face repeated summonses, device checks and legal costs even without a conviction.
Freedom Network said such measures could make the legal process itself a form of punishment. Digital and independent journalists faced the most reported violations.
Meanwhile, victims or their families accused government authorities and officials of involvement in nearly two-thirds of the cases. These allegations do not establish official responsibility.
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Freedom Network Executive Director Iqbal Khattak raised concerns about the limited protection available under existing journalist safety laws.
The watchdog described the federal protection mechanism as effectively dysfunctional. It also questioned the Sindh Commission’s effectiveness outside Karachi.
Prepared with support from International Media Support, the report was released before the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on November 2.
