Sindh journalists, press clubs call for joint action amid rise in attacks

KARACHI: Representatives of journalist unions and press clubs from across Sindh called upon authorities to take urgent action for the safety of journalists and freedom of expression in the province.

The representatives, belonging to Sukkur, Khairpur, Hyderabad and Karachi, were speaking at the launch of a special report titled ‘Journalism in the Shadow of Violence’ by the Freedom Network at the Karachi Press Club on Thursday.

The event was organised by the Sindh chapter of the Pakistan Journalists Safety Coalition (PJSC), which advocates with policymakers in the province for the protection of journalists.

Freedom Network Executive Director Iqbal Khattak said the report describes the current situation of media freedoms and journalists’ safety in Sindh.

“Sindh continues to remain one of the most concerning regions for the safety of journalists in Pakistan, even though the province has a special legislation to combat impunity in crimes against journalists,” Khattak said.

According to the report, there were 184 incidents of violence against journalists in Sindh between 2018 and 2023, including the killings of 10 journalists.

PJSC Sindh Chapter President journalist Amir Lateef said the targeting of journalists in the province had increased alarmingly, especially in northern Sindh which had witnessed a disturbing rise in physical attacks against journalists.

“The issue is that the state is not supporting journalists,” he said. “We will use the report’s findings to lobby with government officials and policymakers to ensure that they support the journalist community against safety risks.”

Speakers at the event demanded that the Sindh Commission for the Protection of Journalists and other Media Practitioners should be immediately empowered to assist journalists in distress.

Senior journalist Mazhar Abbas said the media owners should also be held accountable for the safety of their workers.

Khan Muhammad, president of the Khairpur Press Club, said journalists in rural Sindh required support against legal and physical threats.

Imdad Buzdar, the president of the Sukkur Press Club, said journalists must unite for a constant struggle for their rights. Sajjad Khanzada, the president of the Hyderabad Press Club, said brazen attacks on journalists would continue until the perpetrators were brought to justice.