The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has released its 2025-26 assessment of Pakistan’s media landscape, highlighting a sharp decline in safety and freedom for the country’s press. The comprehensive report describes an industry struggling against a tide of repressive legislation, state-sponsored digital surveillance, and severe economic instability.

Central to the crackdown are the 2025 revisions to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). Once intended for cybercrime, the law has been repurposed by authorities to monitor and punish online speech under the pretext of fighting “digital terrorism.” This shift has led to extreme judicial outcomes, including life imprisonment for journalists convicted in absentia by anti-terrorism courts. These efforts are spearheaded by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), which has utilized platform blocks and aggressive raids to stifle digital dissent.

Physical safety remains a critical concern for media workers. Between May 2025 and April 2026, the IFJ documented the targeted killings of at least three reporters: A. D. Shar in Sindh, Abdul Latif Baloch in Balochistan, and Imtiaz Mir in Karachi. The report also highlights a pattern of intimidation, citing a violent police raid on the National Press Club in Islamabad and an armed attack on the residence of an ARY News correspondent in early 2026.

The state is also accused of using financial leverage to force editorial compliance. The IFJ noted that the government has effectively weaponized official advertising, nearly eliminating revenue for the Dawn media group as punishment for its independent reporting. This economic pressure, combined with unpaid wages and widespread layoffs at major outlets such as Samaa TV and NewsOne, has left the industry’s workforce increasingly vulnerable.

Female journalists face specific threats, ranging from sophisticated deepfake-driven smear campaigns to the freezing of personal bank accounts. However, the report notes a historic breakthrough in media governance: Ambreen Jan’s appointment as the first woman to lead the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) in February 2026.

In response to these systemic threats, the IFJ and national partners, including the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), have launched initiatives to bolster union strength and advocate for labor rights. Supported by the National Endowment for Democracy, these programs focus on strategic planning and mentoring, particularly for women entering digital media leadership roles.

The IFJ emphasized that the deliberate dismantling of independent journalism through legal and physical threats must end. The federation is calling on Pakistani authorities to overturn restrictive cybercrime laws, ensure justice for crimes committed against members of the press, and cease the financial strangulation of critical media outlets.