harges against BOL television anchor Imran Riaz Khan for remarks condemning of state establishments and the Pakistan organization have been excused by a Lahore court after his capture on February 2. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), an affiliate of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), and the IFJ welcome Khan's release and call on the Pakistani government to stop harassing and intimidating media professionals and journalists.


The Cyber Wing of the FIA detained Khan at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore as he attempted to depart for the United Arab Emirates. The capture came after a First Data Report (FIR) was recorded at Attock police headquarters charging a video presented on friendly portrayed Khan endeavoring to demolish the standing of a state establishment. Khan's gear was likewise seized.


Lawyer Mian Ali Ashfaq claims that the FIA's Lahore headquarters detained Khan and that he appeared in court on February 3. The Lahore court excused the case and requested his prompt delivery.


According to the FIR in Khan's case, the FIA's cybercrime wing is looking into Khan under the Criminal Code and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act of 2016. The PFUJ condemned the journalist's arrest, stating that the incident was a continuation of the government's restrictions on press freedom and that the journalist was unlawfully arrested without a warrant.


Khan was previously detained in July 2022 at the Islamabad Toll Plaza. He claimed that his refusal to "stop speaking the truth" motivated his involvement in a number of cases. In the past, similar charges were the basis for numerous police cases brought against Khan in various parts of Punjab. A few occupants submitted applications to enroll the Primary Data Reports (FIRs), claiming that the columnist was instigating hostile to public opinions by defaming the Pakistan Armed force and state establishments.


"two-thirds of the complainants invoking the PECA law against journalists are private citizens, with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials the second highest initiator of complaints," states the IFJ's South Asia Press Freedom Report 2021-2022.


GM Jamali, President of PFUJ, and Rana Azeem, Secretary General, stated: When charging people for illegal acts, the government must follow legal procedures. He will be charged according to the law, but any media person who is arrested without a warrant will not be allowed.


The IFJ stated, The developing number of legitimate bodies of evidence enrolled against writers in Pakistan is commensurate to concealment of press opportunity. The International Federation of Journalists applauds the dismissal of Imran Riaz Khan's charges but urges the Pakistani authorities to stop using intimidation and legal harassment to prevent independent and critical journalism.


Contact the IFJ Asia-Pacific at ifj@ifj-asia.org for additional information. The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 140 countries. @ifjasiapacific, on Facebook: Twitter, Instagram, and IFJAsiaPacific