Tehran 04 May_This is Islamabad, the federal capital of Pakistan. Until recently, the federal city was considered to be the safest in Pakistan. However, to the surprise of many, it has turned out to be the most dangerous city for working journalists.
The Freedom Network, a Pakistani Media Watchdog, on the eve of World Press Freedom Day released its annual report, which documented at least 91 cases involving abuses against working journalists. Seven journalists and bloggers were killed, two were abducted, nine were arrested, and 10 were injured in attacks, with numerous cases of threats and censorship on the mainstream print and broadcast media during the past year.
The severity of abuses against the media forced many journalists to protest on the roads despite the spread of the coronavirus in Pakistan.
At least 33 journalists were murdered alone during the last six years. As many as 130 journos have been killed since 9/11. None of the killers of Pakistani journalists were punished, indicating the immunity the assassins enjoy in their killing spree.
Secret services, militant groups and political parties have been at the heart of allegations of being behind the killing of journalists. Pakistan is considered to be one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists.
Analysts point out that Pakistan has been a hotbed of international geo-strategic politics, a significant part of which is played by building up narratives through a politicized mainstream media. Tragically, the journalists have become cannon fodder in an invisible war that intelligence agencies play directly and through their proxy groups in this part of the world.