Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Photo: APP/ File
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday renewed his government’s commitment to press freedom, saying efforts would continue to protect, promote and strengthen an enabling environment for journalism.
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on World Press Freedom Day, the Prime Minister paid tribute to journalists, columnists, journalists, editors, broadcasters and all those associated with journalism in Pakistan and around the world for their selfless services.
Reaffirming his government’s commitment, the prime minister said all possible steps would continue to be taken to protect, promote and create an enabling environment for press freedom.
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“Let us renew our collective resolve that the government will continue to play its role in protecting press freedom so that the media in an enabling environment can carry out its responsibilities truthfully. Together, we will continue working towards building a strong Pakistan – peaceful, confident and respected globally,” he said.
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He said the professional performance of duties by media personnel was a guarantee of an informed and conscious society, adding that timely publication and broadcasting of authentic, unbiased and unbiased news formed the true foundation of journalism.
Calling journalists the custodians of social values, the Prime Minister emphasized that it was the duty of every journalist in accordance with professional ethics to prevent the spread of propaganda, fake news and unverified or unauthenticated information.
This year, World Press Freedom Day is being celebrated under the theme “Shaping a Peaceful Future”, which the Prime Minister said reflected the needs of today. He said journalists were entitled to a dignified, safe and conducive working environment in the performance of their duties.
“In the modern era, an environment of peace and security is not achieved through diplomacy alone; rather, authentic information, responsible journalism and public opinion play a crucial role in shaping it,” he said, adding that the media had the capacity to play a constructive role in making international relations and political, economic and social ties between countries more positive, meaningful and effective.
He noted that accurate representation of viewpoints often helped resolve complex issues, calling it a hallmark of responsible journalism.
“Pakistan is a peaceful country and prefers dialogue and negotiations, from differences of opinion to long-term resolution of tensions,” he said, highlighting the country’s approach.
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Referring to recent diplomatic efforts amid US-Iran tensions that have engulfed the region and seriously disrupted the global economy due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the prime minister said Pakistan was playing a positive role in diplomacy to reduce tensions, promote dialogue and restore peace in the region, adding that the country had been appreciated by the international media in this context.
While appreciating the role of the media in Pakistan’s historic success over India last May and amid hostile actions by the Afghan government and the Taliban this year, the prime minister said the media had also played an important role during “Marka-e-Haq” and “Operation Bunyanum Marsoos” that presented the national response, unlimited sovereignty and national defence.
“The media kept the public informed and countered misinformation. These moments reflected not only the capability of the armed forces but also the collective national strength where the responsible media played its role. The role of the journalistic community is commendable,” he said.
The prime minister also paid tribute to journalists who lost their lives in the line of duty, saying their courage served as a reminder that press freedom was an invaluable asset.
Speaking about the rapidly evolving media landscape driven by modern innovation, he said digital platforms play an important role in shaping public opinion both nationally and internationally, while highlighting their role in projecting national identity and perspectives globally.
While urging media organizations to adapt to digital transformation with both speed and accountability, Prime Minister Shehbaz warned against the spread of fake news and organized disinformation campaigns.
“The spread of fake news and organized disinformation campaigns pose a real threat to national cohesion and global reputation,” he warned, adding that it was important to prioritize both timely access to information and credibility.
“I urge all journalists to maintain the highest standards of verification, integrity and professionalism so that the truth is not compromised in the fast-paced digital age,” he said.
He added that the media not only reflected social, political and economic diversity but also promoted national unity and stability while playing a constructive role in highlighting issues of public importance and raising awareness of social and economic issues.
The statement came at a time when Pakistan improved its position in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index, rising to 153rd in 2026 from 158th in 2024.
But RSF also expressed concern over what it described as “relentless waves of restrictions” amid a charged political climate in which authorities seek to control and in some cases suppress the dissemination of journalistic content.
A day earlier, media watchdog Freedom Network, in its latest annual report, also voiced concerns over Pakistan’s media landscape, which it said had witnessed a significant contraction of space for freedom of expression over the past year, driven by escalating legal, regulatory and economic pressures, among other things.
The report titled “Regulatory Suppression of Free Speech – Legal Control and PECA Undermining Media and Journalism in Pakistan”identified the amended Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) as the most “consistent instrument” used to restrict journalists and freedom of expression practitioners.
According to the report, which was originally enacted in 2016 to combat cybercrime, changes made in 2025 have increasingly been used in 2025-26 to criminalize lawful speech, target dissent and intimidate journalists, lawyers and political commentators.
In terms of journalist safety, the report documented at least 129 verified cases of violations between April 2025 and March 2026. Legal threats and physical violence accounted for nearly two-thirds of these cases.
These included two murders, five threats of murder, 58 trials (mostly under Peca), 16 assaults, 11 threats of harm and two cases of kidnapping and enforced disappearance.
Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa emerged as the most dangerous regions for journalists, while incidents in Sindh and Balochistan underscored ongoing risks. Government authorities were identified as the leading perpetrators, responsible for over 60 percent of violations, primarily through legal and custodial actions. Non-state actors, including militant groups and criminal networks, were also linked to threats, assaults and killings.
The detention of three female journalists in Islamabad while attempting to cover the Aurat March in March 2026 highlighted the gendered dimension of these risks. Across the country, journalists also faced economic pressures, including delayed salaries, job insecurity and dependence on government advertising, which further undermined editorial independence.
Read: Media in Pakistan still stifled by censorship and threats in 2025
Women journalists, the report said, remained particularly marginalized within the media sector, where harassment, online abuse and workplace discrimination contribute to a hostile environment. Cases involving profoundly false abuses and detentions further illustrated these challenges.
The report called for urgent reforms, including a review of restrictive provisions in Peca, stronger implementation of journalist safety laws and effective enforcement of the RTI framework to ensure transparency. It also urged legal and institutional support for journalists and the promotion of ethical use of new technologies.
