Amnesty-led Coalition Urges Pakistan to End Press Crackdown

A coalition of 13 local and international civil society organizations, led by Amnesty International, issued a joint appeal on August 5, 2026, demanding that Pakistani authorities cease restrictions on press freedom and human rights advocacy. In an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and ministers Attaullah Tarar and Azam Nazeer Tarar, the group condemned the use of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act to intimidate journalists and criminalize dissent.

The coalition highlighted the forced removal of broadcasters Munizae Jahangir, Matiullah Jan, and Kashif Abbasi, while criticizing the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority for using fines and suspensions to drive self-censorship. The group specifically called for the immediate release of imprisoned lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha.

Additional demands included the unblocking of the Al Jazeera website and the restoration of internet services in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which has faced communications blackouts since June. The coalition argued that authorities should protect journalists and human rights defenders rather than punish them for their professional activities.