2024: A Deadly Year for Journalists in Pakistan, Freedom Network Report Highlights Rising Attacks and Impunity

The year 2024 has been one of the deadliest years for journalists in Pakistan, with targeted killings and increasing attacks leaving six journalists and a YouTuber dead, according to the Freedom Network’s “Impunity Report 2024.” Alongside these murders, 57 documented violations — including threats, assaults, and legal harassment — underscore the dangers faced by media professionals, particularly as government protections remain unenforced.

The Freedom Network’s report details a grim reality: 11 assassination attempts, including five journalists and one digital media practitioner, occurred between November 2023 and August 2024. Violations were particularly high in Sindh, where 37% of cases were reported, followed by Punjab, Islamabad, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Although the Sindh and federal governments enacted laws to protect journalists in 2021, the lack of implementation has left these laws largely ineffective.

Iqbal Khattak, Executive Director of Freedom Network, emphasized the need for functional safety mechanisms. “Without robust and functioning safety mechanisms, these laws will remain ineffective, and the lives of media professionals will continue to be at greater risk,” he said.

The report also introduces Pakistan’s first “Media Impunity Index,” which assesses progress in combating impunity for crimes against journalists. Sindh leads with nine points out of 10, while the federal government scored eight points, both for passing safety laws. However, Balochistan, KP, and Punjab ranked poorly, reflecting minimal progress.

With an average of six violations each month, Freedom Network calls for an urgent, coordinated response from the government, civil society, and media organizations to address this escalating threat. The report emphasizes that addressing impunity and enforcing protections for journalists are crucial for media freedom and safety in Pakistan.