Several prominent journalists, along with social and political activists, gathered outside the National Press Club in Islamabad on Tuesday to protest the FIR against journalist Asad Ali Toor.
The protesting journalists criticized the government for frequent arrests and the suppression of free speech in Pakistan. Carrying placards that read “Release Asad Toor, Open X and Lift Restrictions on the Internet,” they said that journalism is not a crime.
In a post on X, Pakistani journalist Munizae Jahangir said, “Protesting against the arrest of #AsadToor, demanding the withdrawal of the vague FIR and urging the government to lift restrictions on internet and social media platforms like X. Democracy must be for the people.”
Jahangir also criticized the unannounced ban on social media platform X and the suspension of the internet, emphasizing the need to revive democracy in Pakistan.
Prominent journalist Hamid Mir urged Pakistan’s Supreme Court to address issues concerning journalist safety.
Asad Ali Toor was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for allegedly conducting an explicit and malicious campaign against Supreme Court judges. The arrest sparked outrage among journalists, who argue that such actions hinder free press.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) reported a disturbing trend, stating that from August 2022 to August 2023, 37.5% of journalists faced violence in various forms. In Islamabad alone, 93 out of 248 cases occurred from 2021 to 2023. There were 56 cases against journalists in Sindh and according to the Pakistan Press Foundation, two journalists were killed, 72 were tortured and three were kidnapped.
A report by Dawn highlighted the challenges faced by Pakistani journalists in 2023, citing cases of abduction, torture, and unresolved disappearances. Journalist Gohar Wazir, known for his human rights advocacy, was abducted and tortured for 30 hours before release, prompting protests against police inaction.
(Inputs from ANI)