Joint letter cites 27th Amendment, FCC rulings, PECA abuses and calls for release of detained journalists
Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists members shout slogans during a protest against the amendment of the Electronic Crime Prevention Act in Karachi on January 28, 2025. PHOTO: AFP
Several international and domestic organizations working for human rights and press freedom have written a joint letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressing serious concern over the deteriorating media situation in Pakistan.
The letter said that “the undersigned press freedom and human rights groups call on your government to take immediate action to uphold Pakistan’s obligations under the Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantee freedom of expression and the press and require the state to protect journalists from violence, intimidation and unlawful interference.”
The letter raised further questions about the constitutional amendment and the role of the judiciary. It stated that pressure on the media has increased since the November 2025 27th Constitutional Amendment and the creation of the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC). The organizations argued that weakened judicial oversight emboldens those involved in attacks on journalists.
Read: The President signs the 27th Amendment into law
The organizations expressed concern over the Federal Constitutional Court’s decision to end the suo motu proceedings in the killing of journalist Arshad Sharif and called for the formation of an independent judicial commission. They also termed the continued detention of journalist Sohrab Barkat for 90 days as illegal, despite being granted bail by the Supreme Court, and demanded his immediate release.
The FCC dropped the Arshad Sharif murder case, explaining that the Pakistani and Kenyan governments were already investigating the case and there was no need for court involvement.
Arshad had gone into self-imposed exile in August 2022 following a wave of cases against him in Pakistan. He moved to Kenya, where he was shot dead by Kenyan police in October 2022 in an apparent case of mistaken identity.
Read more: FCC dismisses Arshad Sharif murder case citing ‘no need for any judicial intervention’
The letter called on the government to stop the harassment of journalists, including Nadir Baloch, end what it described as ‘transnational repression’ of Pakistani journalists living abroad, refrain from forcibly deporting Afghan journalists living in Pakistan, and introduce immediate changes to the cybercrime law, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), to prevent journalists from being used as tools.
Organizations that signed the letter include Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders, among other prominent bodies,” working journalist Nadir Baloch wrote on his X account.
Breaking news: all major international organizations have written to the prime minister to demand the truth
Several international organizations working for human rights and freedom of the press have written a joint letter to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, expressing concern about the situation in Pakistan… pic.twitter.com/komP399mn9— Nadir Baloch (@BalochNadir5) 25 February 2026
Here are the specific calls to action urged by the undersigned press freedom and human rights groups.
Read also: Journalist Imtiaz Mir succumbs to injuries week after gun attack in Karachi
Requirements for individual journalists
Sohrab Barkat: “Immediately and unconditionally release journalist Sohrab Barkat, who has been detained for more than 90 days under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 in connection with his reporting”.
Arshad Sharif: “Ensure justice for Arshad Sharif… We urge the government, through an independent judicial commission, to reopen a transparent inquiry into his death”.
Shan Dahar: “End impunity for the murder of journalists, including by ensuring justice for the murder of Shan Dahar… We urge the government to reopen the currently dormant investigation into Dahar’s death”.
Imtiaz Mir: “Ensure accountability for the murder of journalist Imtiaz Mir in Karachi… We call on the authorities to quickly, thoroughly and transparently investigate the alleged perpetrators and masterminds behind the attack”.
Nadir Abbas Baloch: “Investigate threats and stop intimidation against journalist Nadir Abbas Baloch… We ask the authorities to conduct a prompt, independent and transparent investigation into the threats”.
Demands for legal and political reforms
Transnational oppression: “Stop the prosecution and conviction of Pakistani journalists living abroad… We urge your government to stop legal action against foreign-based journalists for their reporting or commentary”.
Afghan journalists: “Protect Afghan journalists in exile from deportation… We urge the government to immediately halt deportations of journalists and media workers at risk and uphold the principle of non-refoulement”.
PECA reform: “Repeal or substantially amend the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act 2016 (PECA), including the 2025 amendments, to protect press freedom and stop abuses against journalists”.
