ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s laws aimed at protecting journalists from threats and attacks risk remaining largely “on paper” unless the federal and provincial safety commissions are given more powers, accessible complaint mechanisms and the resources needed to deliver timely protection, says a new report released by Freedom Network, a media watchdog, on Wednesday.
The report, titled “From safety on paper to safety in practice”, is an assessment of the work carried out by two commissions — one appointed by the federal government and the other by the Sindh government.
The Islamabad-based Freedom Network produced the research with assistance from the International Media Support (IMS).
Authored by Minahil Shahab and Adnan Rehmat, the report examined the commissions’ capacity and operational constraints through consultations with stakeholders, interviews and a baseline online survey of around 40 working journalists in Sindh, including respondents from the province’s rural areas.
According to report, 65pc of respondents say they have faced work-related threats or interference
According to the report, parliament enacted two special laws to combat impunity for crimes against journalists and the media in 2022. Both the federal and Sindh governments instituted commissions to enforce the laws.
The online survey found 70 per cent of the respondents knew a provincial protection law existed, but 65pc of them did not know where to find the commission’s office, obtain information, website or complaint route.
Sixty-five per cent of the respondents reported experiencing work-related threats or interference since 2021. These findings describe the surveyed group rather than establishing province-wide prevalence.
Challenges pinpointed
The assessment identified distinct institutional challenges. Kamal Uddin Tipu, the federal commission’s chairperson, spoke of staffing, budget, and administrative constraints during the research.
With the federal commission now operational, the priority is to ensure that its personnel, resources and complaint systems support timely protection and sustained follow-up.
In Sindh, the report documented an established institution with premises, meetings, complaints and engagement with police and media organisations. However, union representatives and non-official members described delayed responses, limited outreach beyond Karachi and dependence on police replies.
The Sindh commission’s chairperson, Aijaz Ahmed Memon, disputed suggestions that journalists lacked trust in the institution and reported improvements in coordination, case activity and outreach plans.
The report also highlighted media employers’ responsibilities. Fifty-one per cent of the respondents said employers had not informed them about safety procedures, emergency contacts, insurance, legal assistance or complaint mechanisms.
The Sindh chairperson separately reported that 44 media outlets had not replied to the commission’s queries. Recommendations include confidential and accessible complaint routes, urgent risk assessment, designated caseworkers, police escalation procedures, stronger employer cooperation and publication of anonymised outcomes and spending.
The report said amendments needed to be framed carefully in order to address documented legal barriers.
The Freedom Network called for coordinated action by governments, commissions, police, media employers and journalist organisations to deliver positive results and ensure that journalists can obtain effective assistance when threats arise.
Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2026