The Karachi Press Club (KPC) has strongly condemned the filing of a legal case against investigative journalist Nadir Khan, calling the move a serious setback for press freedom and free expression. KPC leaders — President Fazil Jamili, Secretary Aslam Khan, and members of the governing body — criticized the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) for initiating action without prior notice or a formal inquiry, describing the step as a breach of due process and an attempt to silence independent reporting.
KPC said the action reflects a worrying pattern of targeting journalists who cover sensitive matters and warned that registering a case without following legal procedures undermines the rule of law and creates a climate of fear among media professionals. The press club also noted the timing of the case, saying the country needs unity amid multiple challenges and that suppressing journalistic voices could damage democratic discourse.
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists-Dastoor (PFUJ-D) joined the criticism. PFUJ-D President Haji Muhammad Nawaz Raza, Secretary General AH Khanzada, and other officials expressed concern about how the case was filed and framed it as an attempt to curb freedom of expression. They urged authorities to reconsider the move and protect the space for investigative journalism.
According to reports, the case relates to a news item alleging that a vessel arriving at Port Qasim was intercepted by the Federal Investigation Agency’s Anti-Corruption Circle on suspicion of LPG smuggling, with authorities reportedly examining the ship’s crew and documents. PFUJ-D warned that pursuing legal proceedings without proper investigation appears intended to intimidate journalists and deter investigative reporting.
The union urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and relevant authorities to withdraw the case immediately, cautioning that continued pressure on the media could escalate tensions between the government and journalists. The reaction from press bodies underscores growing unease in Pakistan’s media community over legal and administrative measures perceived as curbing independent reporting.
This report is based on syndicated news items as received; the original publisher has made the content available without additional verification.
