(BOLONEWS) – Paris, France – In a high-level engagement aimed at addressing the escalating crisis facing journalists in Pakistan, a delegation from the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) held crucial talks with top officials of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) at the Syndicate National des Journalistes (SNJ) headquarters.
IFJ President Dominique Pradalié and Secretary General Anthony Bellanger expressed grave concern over targeted killings of journalists, cases filed under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), undeclared censorship on media outlets, harassment of working journalists by both state and non-state actors, and widespread non-payment of salaries along with forced dismissals by media owners.
The IFJ leaders urged Pakistan’s President, Prime Minister, and Chief Justice to take immediate notice of the dire situation, warning that failure to act would prompt an appeal for United Nations intervention.
During the detailed meeting, the PFUJ delegation—comprising Secretary General Shakeel Ahmed, Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists President Tariq Usmani, and Foreign Committee Head Waseem Shahzad Qadri—briefed Pradalié and Bellanger on the ground realities.
In a joint statement, the IFJ president and secretary general affirmed that the federation is closely monitoring Pakistan’s media environment. They strongly condemned unlawful actions against journalists, including the misuse of PECA to lodge cases, and demanded the immediate withdrawal of all such charges, effective legislation to protect journalists’ rights, and legal action against those responsible for targeted killings.
The statement also denounced undeclared censorship imposed by government institutions on media organizations and journalists, calling for an immediate end to these unconstitutional and undemocratic practices.
Highlighting the forced layoffs of hundreds of journalists and media workers, the IFJ officials demanded that Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif introduce urgent and robust legislation to halt what they described as the “economic massacre” of journalists in Pakistan.
The federation pledged full support to PFUJ, its representative body in Pakistan, committing to take steps at every level to safeguard journalists’ rights and employment. The issue will be placed on the agenda of the upcoming IFJ Congress.
Pradalié and Bellanger also took serious note of alleged death threats issued to PFUJ President Rana Muhammad Azeem and others, reportedly from Taliban-linked groups. They called on the Prime Minister and top investigative agencies to conduct a thorough probe and ensure that those involved in the terror group face the full rigor of the law, including severe punishments.
Following the discussions, the PFUJ delegation was given a tour of the Journalists’ Memorial. The visit concluded with a lavish dinner hosted by IFJ President Dominique Pradalié in honor of Shakeel Ahmed, Tariq Usmani, and Waseem Shahzad Qadri.
This meeting underscores growing international pressure on Pakistani authorities to uphold press freedom amid reports of increasing vulnerabilities for media professionals.
