Barrister Usman Ali, Ph.D.
Violence against journalists is never just an attack on individuals , it is an assault on truth itself. It tramples on human rights and freedom of expression, values that underpin every free and civilized society. When critical voices are silenced, nations descend into darkness. Sadly, Pakistan, like many countries, has faced this tragedy repeatedly.
Across the world, regimes have tried to muzzle critical journalists. But history teaches a simple lesson: violence never hides the truth. It only exposes the fear of the powerful. Pakistan has never been safe for independent journalism. Whether under democratic or authoritarian rule, those who raised their voices against injustice were silenced through bullets, prison, intimidation, or outright violence. Unsurprisingly, Pakistan’s global ranking on press freedom has long carried a negative image.
While some political parties gradually learned to treat journalists with tolerance, in recent years Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has cultivated a dangerous culture of zero tolerance for dissent. Imran Khan’s rise was backed by powerful quarters that enforced a clear policy: silence critics at any cost. That policy went beyond character assassination and included the systematic use of violence as a political weapon.
The behavior of PTI leaders and activists highlights this disturbing trend. Nationally and internationally, they became known for their coarse language and insults against political opponents. For years, Khan encouraged his followers to abuse and disparage rivals, pushing them into defensive corners. Instead of addressing facts, ridicule became the weapon of choice. This approach extended far beyond rallies and press conferences. PTI’s social-media machinery waged coordinated harassment campaigns against critics and journalists. Many were targeted physically as well, with women journalists especially vulnerable. It is no surprise that international watchdogs labeled Imran Khan a “Predator of Free Press”, a disgraceful stain on Pakistan’s media history.
Some hoped that after losing power PTI would soften its stance. The opposite happened. The party grew even more aggressive. Political disagreement turned into personal vendetta. Journalists, male and female, were subjected to harassment of kinds rarely seen elsewhere.
This behavior reflects a deeper flaw in Pakistan’s political culture. Parties and their followers revolve not around principles but around personalities. Once someone is accepted as leader, every act, whether corruption, moral weakness, or outright wrongdoing , is defended as legitimate. Yet when an opponent commits the same act, it is condemned as unforgivable. Such blind loyalty means party workers never question their own leaders. Worse, they attack anyone else who dares to ask questions. That is exactly what happened to journalist Tayyab Baloch.
Recently, Baloch was brutally attacked by PTI leaders and activists outside Adiala Jail, merely for asking a legitimate question. He had asked Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, about her property purchases in the United States, allegedly funded by donations meant for Shaukat Khanum Hospital. In the planned assault, he was badly beaten. Viral videos showed not just emotional supporters but senior PTI lawyers, including Naeem Panjutha, and even a sitting lawmaker, abusing and inciting the attack. When those entrusted to uphold the law descend into violence and become enemies of press freedom, the danger extends far beyond politics.
Aleema Khan has long faced criticism over her foreign properties. In 2018, Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered her to pay nearly 29.4 million rupees in taxes and penalties for an undeclared property in the UAE. Questions persist about her assets in the US, as her visible income does not justify such purchases. The real issue is why overseas PTI workers and donors never ask where their contributions , collected in the name of hospitals and universities , are spent. When Baloch asked this straightforward question, instead of answers, he was beaten.
This attack sends a chilling message: the powerful and their families consider themselves “above questions.” Such an attitude corrodes institutions, normalizes violence, and destroys public trust. If left unchecked, not only will journalists fall silent, but citizens will also be robbed of their most fundamental right: the right to know the truth.
The pattern is not unique to Pakistan. From Russia to Turkey to India, leaders who cannot defend their actions often resort to silencing critics. Some have jailed journalists, others have unleashed harassment campaigns, and some have even presided over killings. But everywhere, the outcome is the same: violence fails to bury facts, and instead reveals the insecurity of those in power.
The time has come to draw a line. If those who attack journalists are not exposed and punished, tomorrow every citizen will lose the right to speak freely. Press freedom is not only vital for democracy but for every system of governance. Where journalism is not free, justice, accountability, and human dignity all collapse.
Pakistan’s civil society, judiciary, and international partners must demand transparency, accountability, and justice. Those seen in videos abusing and inciting violence , whether lawyers, politicians, or party workers , must face the law. Anything less will legitimize impunity and encourage future attacks.
Above all, political supporters must rise above blind loyalty. Criticism of rivals is meaningless if they refuse to confront their own leaders’ misconduct. Blind devotion to personalities is not politics , it is cultism. As long as Pakistan’s politics revolves around individuals rather than principles, both democracy and basic freedoms will remain stunted.
Violence against journalists is not just a domestic issue , it is a global warning. Where truth is silenced, societies are weakened, and citizens lose their voice. Protecting press freedom is therefore not only about defending journalists. It is about defending the right of every citizen to know, to question, and to hold the powerful accountable.
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