Islamabad: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has sent an appreciation letter to the government of Pakistan for passing Journalists and media professionals protect act from the Senate unanimously and hoped that it would provide safer and more conducive atmosphere for journalists to work independently.
In a letter written to Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Yusuf Raza Gilani, Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Pakistan Senator Saleem Mandviwalla. PIO, Rana M Azeem, President Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and Shakeel Ahmed, General Secretary Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Ihtsham uI-Haq, Press Secretary Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), the IFJ said that explicit protection of the right to privacy and non-disclosure of sources is also a crucial step in maintaining journalistic independence and ensuring the media community can work free from undue pressure.
'On behalf of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the world's largest organization of journalists representing over 600,000 members in 142 countries, we wish to express our appreciation for the passage of the recent amendments to Pakistan's Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act by the Senate this month. The IFJ, alongside its affiliate union in Pakistan, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), commends your collective efforts towards significantly improved protections for Pakistan's media community', the IFJ said.
The IFJ continued that they particularly welcome the additional clauses that further define the establishment of a commission for journalist safety, now with a strong mandate and operating structure to resolve issues directly and independently. IFJ hopes this commission can be swiftly established to deal with pertinent issues for media workers in Pakistan, including security, welfare, and working conditions.
The letter highlighted media professionals across Pakistan are presently facing heightened challenges while performing their duties, amid increased levels of political polarization, widescale protests, and social disruption as well as threats of legal persecution and intimidation under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), which is of great concern for the IFJ and international journalist community. This comes alongside ongoing issues of underpayment, irregular wages, illegal terminations, safety and security risks, and impunity for crimes against journalists, including 7 targeted killings and 27 press freedom violations documented in IFJ's Pakistan Press Freedom Report, between May 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025.
'With this important step towards a robust and free landscape for Pakistan's media community, we respectfully urge your continued commitment to press freedom and look forward to the swift and effective implementation of the measures outlined in this legislation. Both the IFJ and PFUJ remain dedicated to working collaboratively with the government and media stakeholders to ensure a truly safe and independent environment for all media professionals in Pakistan', .
The IFJ also continued to call for urgent updates to Pakistan's labor laws to correct limitations to collective bargaining and the registration of sectoral unions and ensure compliance with the International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions regarding the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining. These necessary amendments will further permit a safe and secure working environment for the media industry in Pakistan by ensuring all workers have the foundational rights and protections essential for a vibrant and independent press.