Islamabad: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) has called for the inclusion of strong and explicit protections for freedom of expression, media freedom, and journalists’ safety in the National Action Plan for Human Rights (NAP-HR) 2026, urging that these be recognized as core pillars of Pakistan’s human rights framework.
 
The Ministry of Human Rights has issued the draft NAP-HR 2026 outlining the country’s broader human rights priorities; however, PPF noted with concern that the draft does not contain a dedicated and measurable framework for the protection of journalists and media professionals, despite clear constitutional guarantees under Article 19 and Article 19-A and Pakistan’s international obligations under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
 
PPF also referenced protections available under the Federal Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021, and the Sindh Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners Act, 2021.
 
In its submission, PPF urged the Ministry to formally introduce a thematic section titled “Freedom of Expression, Media Freedom, and Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals”, backed by clear monitoring tools and accountability mechanisms to ensure effective implementation rather than symbolic commitments.
 
Highlighting the escalating risks faced by women journalists, PPF emphasized the urgent need for gender-sensitive safeguards, including protection from coordinated online harassment campaigns, stronger workplace safety measures, and targeted digital security training to address emerging online threats.
 
The submission further stressed the importance of clear and enforceable commitments on digital rights and access to information, warning that internet shutdowns and digital restrictions continue to undermine press freedom, emergency reporting, and citizens’ right to know.
 
PPF highlighted its monitoring of threats to press freedom, with at least 233 incidents involving journalists and media professionals were recorded between January 2025 and April 2026. These include 67 assaults, 67 criminal complaints, 31 cases of threats and harassment, 11 arrests, 11 detentions, seven censorship incidents, and 10 connectivity disruptions.