پاکستان میں موجودہ نظام حکمرانی پر تنقید کرنے والے میڈیا پر پابندیاں سخت کردی ہیں، ایچ آر سی پی

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, in its report on the situation of freedom of expression in Pakistan over the past 2 years, has said that restrictions have been tightened on media outlets critical of the current system of governance. The report, researched and written by journalist Maham Mehr, provides a detailed assessment of the deteriorating situation of freedom of expression since the vote of no confidence against former Prime Minister Imran Khan in April 2022. The HRCP report states that restrictions have been tightened on some sections of the media and that severe restrictions are already in place for others. The report states that from the murder of one journalist and the enforced disappearance of others to the cold-blooded, deliberate press advice and the flurry of changes in the law to control digital freedoms, there is no doubt that the current ruling class is using the media to its advantage while the powerful in the state are increasing the level of censorship, but new spaces for expression are emerging in the digital sector. At the same time, the loss of trust in traditional media is benefiting big business, the far-right and The establishment has raised the issue, the report says, and the negative consequence of censorship is to completely eliminate dissent from the ruling class’s policies and thinking on national issues, thus curbing the public’s free expression of opinion.

 The report, titled “Harsh Punishment,” paints a grim picture of the future of the media in a Pakistan where legal, institutional and covert pressure is stifling freedom of expression. Imran Khan’s dismissal has led to a crackdown on dissent, including mass arrests, enforced disappearances and targeted censorship. These measures have created an environment where fear and coercion dominate the media landscape. The report says that one of the most dangerous consequences is the rise of software updates, a term used to describe the kidnapping, interrogation and forced compliance of journalists and activists. The report says that these updates often result in forced confessions and keep media professionals out of their roles, preventing them from carrying out their work independently. Media coverage faced unprecedented restrictions ahead of the 2024 general elections. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, journalists have been given clear They were instructed to avoid mentioning Imran Khan or his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, a newsroom employee recounted a three-minute meeting in which state representatives ordered that Imran Khan’s name not be mentioned on air.