Journalists' bodies decry proposal for new media courts as Pakistan government denies muzzling press

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan poses for a photograph with Pakistani television anchors after a group interview in Islamabad on December 3, 2018 (Photo courtesy anchor Saadia Afzaal's twitter account)
Updated 28 July 2019
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Journalists' bodies decry proposal for new media courts as Pakistan government denies muzzling press

  • Special courts will resolve disputes of investors, licensees, end-users, according to document seen exclusively by Arab News
  • Chairman Pakistan Broadcasters Association says body has “outrightly rejected” the proposal

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government has proposed setting up ‘special tribunals’ for what it says will be the ‘speedy’ resolution of disputes related to electronic media, the draft of a policy seen by Arab News shows, raising fears among both journalists and media associations that the new courts will be used to curb press freedoms and pressurize television channels through the threat of litigation.
Prime Minister Imran Khan came to power last year promising media freedom but his government is now widely criticized for censoring critical voices in journalism, civil society, and the political opposition. 
Earlier this month, three Pakistani television channels were suspended from cable networks allegedly for broadcasting rallies held by opposition leaders. Last week, the country’s most popular news channel, the privately-owned Geo News broadcaster, was forced off the air in many parts of the country or had its channel number abruptly changed.
According to the draft of a new proposal seen exclusively by Arab News, the government wants to set up special courts where media-related disputes of investors, licensees, subscribers, and end-users can be settled. 

Draft of the media courts proposal obtained exclusively by Arab News:

“The timely settlement of disputes in the broadcasting/electronic media sector is important to all stakeholders involved,” the draft said.
Pakistan’s information ministry declined to comment for this article but Ahmad Jawad, the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party’s secretary information said the “purpose of the special courts is to facilitate journalists and media organizations to get their long-pending cases resolved at the earliest.”
“This is for the betterment of the media industry and journalists,” Jawad told Arab News. “Our party and government cannot even think of putting curbs on media and journalists. Our party strongly believes in press freedom and freedom of expression and we will continue to protect it.”
As many as 324 cases of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) are pending with the Sindh, Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar high courts as well as the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the proposal for the special tribunals said.
“Some of these cases are pending adjudication for years while in the majority of the cases the courts have granted stay orders without even hearing the stance of PEMRA,” the draft said. “The stay orders have been filed for years in some cases. This has resulted in billions of rupees of revenue being stuck up.”
The draft also said the high and supreme courts lacked expertise on broadcasting matters and electronic media “at the bench level,” which led to delayed litigation and stay orders that lasted years. 
“It has also been observed that some media houses … routinely employ judicial intervention which has resulted in complete regulatory & administrative paralysis for the regulator i.e. PEMRA,” the draft said. 
Using the examples of India, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, the policy document said: “since the 1970s, there has been an increasing focus on alternative dispute resolution (ADR), such as negotiation, mediation, and arbitration to resolve disputes.”
“The processes followed under ADR are seen as confidential, time-sensitive and conducive to maintaining long-term commercial relationships,” the document said. “The merit of ADR methods lies in the flexibility of their use as complements either to the court-based or regulatory-based adjudication or as a stand-alone measure.”
Along similar lines to banking tribunals that already exist in Pakistan, the draft said: “It is proposed that to settle disputes in the electronic media sector expeditiously and dispose of the pending litigation of PEMRA, the Authority may like to forward a case to the Federal Government for constitution of Special Tribunals with Judges having requisite expertise of the electronic media for dealing with litigation of the Electronic Media Sectors.”
The draft does not mention what exact powers the new media courts would have, whether decisions taken by them could be appealed in higher courts, or if the proceedings would be public or not. However, if the model being followed is that of banking tribunals, then such courts exercise all powers in their civil and criminal jurisdictions.
The Pakistan government denies it is muzzling the media or putting into place new measures to hike censorship. Speaking to media last week, de facto information minister Firdaus Ashiq Awan assured journalists that any new policy would ensure the rights and responsibilities of all stakeholders. 
However, organizations representing journalists and media houses have unanimously rejected the new plan.
“We have outrightly rejected the government’s suggestion of establishing media courts,” Shakeel Masud Hussain, Chairman Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) told Arab News. Hussain said he had seen a draft of the proposal and “on the face of it, it is unacceptable.”
In a statement released on Friday, PBA asked the government to “immediately abandon the ill-conceived and ill-advised proposal” as the country already had laws, courts and regulatory authorities such as PEMRA to deal with media-related matters
Afzal Butt, president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, also said the proposal reflected the government’s efforts to “muzzle freedom of expression” through litigation in the courts.
“We condemn this move as this will burden the media houses with cases in the courts and result in blackmail not only by the government but also by other institutions and influential forces,” he told Arab News.
Iqbal Khattak, Pakistan’s country representative for Reporters Sans Frontieres, said the government should first establish special courts to end impunity for crimes against journalists given that 127 Pakistani journalists had been killed since 2002.
“It is very worrying that this government has floated the proposal [of setting up media courts] without discussing it with relevant stakeholders,” he told Arab News. “It seems as if the government wants to flood the special courts with cases against media houses to keep them subservient and ensure complete censorship of dissenting voices.”


 


Pakistan’s top revenue-generating Sindh province unveils $12.4 billion budget with major tax cuts

Updated 13 June 2025
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Pakistan’s top revenue-generating Sindh province unveils $12.4 billion budget with major tax cuts

  • Sindh, home to commercial hub Karachi, wants to abolish five taxes to ease pressure on individuals, businesses
  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, governed by jailed ex-PM Khan’s PTI, presents $7.63 billion budget for FY2025-26

KARACHI: Pakistan’s southern Sindh province on Friday proposed abolishing five taxes as it presented a Rs3.45 trillion ($12.41 billion) new budget for fiscal year 2025-26 to simplify taxation and alleviate financial pressure on people and small businesses.

Friday also saw Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province announcing a surplus budget of Rs2,119 billion ($7.63 billion) for next year, without proposing any new taxes. The province allocated significant financial resources for the militancy-hit tribal districts and social welfare programs, according to the budget document.

SINDH

Sindh’s budget, which carries a deficit of Rs38.46 billion ($138.35 million), includes plans to eliminate professional tax, cotton fee and entertainment duty among other levies as part of broader reforms to support salaried individuals, small businesses, and cultural industries.

“I would like to share some important changes being planned to make our tax system simpler and to reduce the financial burden on both individuals and businesses,” Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said while presenting the budget in the provincial assembly.

Sindh generates most of Pakistan’s revenues, more than 60 percent, and is the second most populous province ruled by Pakistan People’s Party of President Asif Ali Zardari, a coalition partner of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party which leads the federal government.

Pakistan remains under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan program approved last year and the Washington-based lender wants Islamabad to broaden its tax base by taxing incomes from agriculture, retail and real estate sectors at the provincial level.

The two provinces announced their new fiscal plans days after Pakistan’s federal government announced its FY26 budget targeting 4.2 percent economic growth, while aiming to arrest fiscal deficit at 3.9 percent of the GDP.

In Sindh, the province’s total revenue receipts are projected at Rs3.41 trillion ($12.27 billion) for FY2025-26, up 11.6 percent from the current fiscal year ending June. Transfers from the federal divisible pool, which account for 75 percent of revenue, are expected to rise 10.2 percent to Rs1.93 trillion ($6.94 billion). With additional grants and straight transfers, total federal receipts are estimated at Rs2.10 trillion ($7.55 billion).

Current Revenue Expenditure (CRE) has been set at Rs2.15 trillion ($7.73 billion), a 12.4 percent increase from the prior year, driven by higher salaries, pensions, and grants to non-financial institutions.

Allocations for key sectors have seen marked increases. The education budget has risen to Rs523.73 billion ($1.88 billion) – a 12.4 percent hike – with major investments in primary and secondary education. New initiatives include hiring 4,400 staff, opening four community colleges, and funding for 34,100 primary schools through cost centers.

The health sector will receive Rs326.5 billion ($1.17 billion), up 8 percent, including Rs19 billion ($68.35 million) for the Sindh Institute of Urology & Transplantation (SIUT) and Rs10 billion ($35.97 million) for a new hospital in Larkana.

Enhanced ambulance and mobile diagnostic services are also planned.

Grants-in-aid total Rs702 billion ($2.53 billion), reflecting allocations for hospitals, universities, and development bodies. A Rs520 billion ($1.87 billion) Annual Development Program (ADP) focuses on 475 new schemes targeting flood recovery, renewable energy, and underserved regions.

Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, will see major upgrades in transport and infrastructure. Fifty electric buses will launch this year, with 100 more expected by August. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Yellow Line is nearing completion, and the Red Line has passed the halfway mark.

The Karachi Safe City initiative will expand CCTV coverage using artificial intelligence, while blockchain-based land records, a KPI monitoring dashboard, and digital birth registration aim to enhance governance.

In rural areas, Rs20 billion ($71.95 million) has been allocated for pro-poor initiatives, while the new Benazir Hari Card will support 200,000 farmers. The Sindh Cooperative Bank is being explored to provide interest-free loans to progressive farmers.

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

Presenting the new budget, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Finance Minister Aftab Alam said the province achieved a Rs100 billion ($359.71 million) surplus in the outgoing fiscal year despite receiving Rs90 billion ($323.74 million) less in funds from the federal government.

The province is ruled by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which is in opposition at the federal level.

“Against all odds and skepticism, we not only met our budget targets but also ensured timely debt repayments of Rs49 billion [$176.26 million],” Alam said.

He added that KP’s own non-tax revenues rose by 74 percent this year, while the KP Revenue Authority collected Rs41.37 billion ($148.79 million) in the first 10 months of the outgoing fiscal year.

The province has set a tax revenue target of Rs83.5 billion ($300 million) and a non-tax revenue target of Rs45.5 billion ($163.71 million) for the next fiscal year, aiming to widen the tax net rather than impose new levies.

Federal transfers, including Rs1,147.91 billion ($4.13 billion) from tax revenues and Rs58.15 billion ($209.17 million) in oil windfall levy, are expected to form the bulk of receipts.

The tribal districts are set to receive Rs292.34 billion ($1.05 billion), including Rs50 billion ($179.85 million) under an accelerated implementation program and Rs39 billion ($140.28 million) for development.

Key initiatives include the expansion of the Sehat Card Plus with life insurance coverage, recruitment of 16,000 teachers, and establishment of new degree colleges.

The province’s police force will receive Rs693.7 million ($2.49 million) for modern arms and Rs1.22 billion ($4.39 million) for vehicles.
 


IFC to provide $400 million loan for Pakistan’s copper-gold Reko Diq mine

Updated 13 June 2025
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IFC to provide $400 million loan for Pakistan’s copper-gold Reko Diq mine

  • The loan adds to a $300 million commitment announced in April, bringing the total to $700 million
  • Reko Diq, one of the largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits, is being developed by Barrick Gold

ISLAMABAD: The International Finance Corporation will provide a $400 million subordinated loan for Pakistan’s Reko Diq copper-gold mine, according to an IFC disclosure on Friday.

The loan adds to a $300 million commitment announced in April, bringing IFC’s total financing for the project to $700 million. The estimated cost of the mine is $6.6 billion, to be funded through a mix of debt and equity from a consortium of lenders.

“The estimated total Project cost is $6.6bn, and it will be financed using a combination of debt and equity,” the disclosure said, adding that other parallel lenders will provide the remaining debt financing.

This type of loan, known as subordinated debt, is typically repaid after other senior loans and helps absorb more risk, making it easier for other lenders to invest.

Other financiers, including the US EXIM Bank, Asian Development Bank, Export Development Canada, and Japan’s JBIC, are also expected to join the financing package, project director Tim Cribb told Reuters in April.

Term sheets are expected to close by early in the third quarter. IFC chief Makhtar Diop said earlier this year that the institution was “doubling down” on Pakistan, with a focus on infrastructure, energy and natural resources.

Reko Diq, located in Balochistan, is one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits. It is being developed by Barrick Gold, which holds 50 percent, with the remainder split between Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments.

Production is expected to begin in 2028. Barrick has projected the mine will generate up to $74 billion in free cash flow over its estimated 37-year life.


Pakistan stocks drop over 1,900 points amid Israel-Iran tensions

Updated 13 June 2025
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Pakistan stocks drop over 1,900 points amid Israel-Iran tensions

  • Analysts cite fears of broader regional escalation following Israeli strikes on Iran
  • Israel struck Iran, claiming Tehran was “close” to developing a nuclear weapon

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) plunged more than 1,900 points on Friday, as investor sentiment soured following Israel’s strikes on Iran, triggering fears of wider regional escalation.

The benchmark KSE-100 index fell 1,949.56 points, or 1.57 percent, closing at 122,143.56, down from the previous close of 124,093.12.

Shares traded largely in the red, mirroring losses across regional and global markets after the Israeli attacks shook investor confidence, according to a market review by Pakistani brokerage Topline Securities.

“Geopolitical tensions after Israel’s attack in Iran weighed down on world equities, including the KSE100,” Raza Jafri, Head of Intermarket Securities, told Arab News. “In particular, if a geopolitical risk premium gets added to international oil prices on a prolonged basis, it could negatively affect the outlook for the current account deficit and inflation, given more than 25 percent of Pakistan’s import bill comprises of petroleum products.”

He noted that Pakistan was now “much more disciplined” economically, having avoided fuel subsidies and refrained from using foreign exchange reserves to support the currency. This, he said, would help the country better withstand a potential oil price shock than in the past.

Ahsan Mehanti, Chief Executive of Arif Habib Commodities Ltd, said stocks declined across the board in response to the strikes.

“Slump in global equities on geopolitical risks and weakening rupee played catalyst role in panic selling at PSX,” he said.

Israel launched strikes on Iran earlier on Friday, claiming Tehran was “very close” to developing a nuclear weapon. The attacks reportedly targeted nuclear facilities, scientists, and senior military commanders.
 


Pakistan stocks drop over 1,900 points amid Israel-Iran tensions

Updated 13 June 2025
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Pakistan stocks drop over 1,900 points amid Israel-Iran tensions

  • Analysts cite fears of broader regional escalation following Israeli strikes on Iran
  • Israel struck Iran, claiming Tehran was “close” to developing a nuclear weapon

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) plunged more than 1,900 points on Friday, as investor sentiment soured following Israel’s strikes on Iran, triggering fears of wider regional escalation.

The benchmark KSE-100 index fell 1,949.56 points, or 1.57 percent, closing at 122,143.56, down from the previous close of 124,093.12.

Shares traded largely in the red, mirroring losses across regional and global markets after the Israeli attacks shook investor confidence, according to a market review by Pakistani brokerage Topline Securities.

“Geopolitical tensions after Israel’s attack in Iran weighed down on world equities, including the KSE100,” Raza Jafri, Head of Intermarket Securities, told Arab News. “In particular, if a geopolitical risk premium gets added to international oil prices on a prolonged basis, it could negatively affect the outlook for the current account deficit and inflation, given more than 25 percent of Pakistan’s import bill comprises of petroleum products.”

He noted that Pakistan was now “much more disciplined” economically, having avoided fuel subsidies and refrained from using foreign exchange reserves to support the currency. This, he said, would help the country better withstand a potential oil price shock than in the past.

Ahsan Mehanti, Chief Executive of Arif Habib Commodities Ltd, said stocks declined across the board in response to the strikes.

“Slump in global equities on geopolitical risks and weakening rupee played catalyst role in panic selling at PSX,” he said.

Israel launched strikes on Iran earlier on Friday, claiming Tehran was “very close” to developing a nuclear weapon. The attacks reportedly targeted nuclear facilities, scientists, and senior military commanders.
 


Pakistan urges religious devotees to postpone travel to Iran, Iraq amid regional tensions

Updated 13 June 2025
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Pakistan urges religious devotees to postpone travel to Iran, Iraq amid regional tensions

  • A senior government official says currently there are an estimated 5,000 Zaireen in Iran
  • Israel launched strikes against Iranian military and nuclear facilities earlier in the day

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday advised its citizens planning religious travel to Iran and Iraq to reconsider their plans, citing security concerns after Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities earlier in the day.

The advisory mentions Pakistani “Zaireen,” or Shi’ite Muslim pilgrims who travel to Iran and Iraq to visit sacred religious sites, particularly in Mashhad, Qom, Najaf and Karbala.

The region has seen heightened tensions following Israeli attacks on key installations in Iran, prompting fears of broader instability.

“In view of the evolving security situation in the region, the Zaireen from Pakistan are advised to reconsider their travel plans to Iran and Iraq,” the foreign office said in a brief statement issued in Islamabad.

According to a senior government official who spoke on condition of anonymity, the number of Zaireen traveling to Iran fluctuates, and most do not contact the Pakistani diplomatic missions.

“Currently, there are an estimated 5,000 Zaireen in Iran,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s embassy in Tehran and its consulates remain available to assist citizens.

“Any Pakistani requiring guidance or support is encouraged to contact our relevant diplomatic missions, which will, as always, provide necessary assistance and facilitate their return to Pakistan,” the official added.

While no evacuation plans have been announced, the authorities say they are closely monitoring the regional situation.