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December 21, 2025 – Pakistan –
Amnesty International has expressed serious concern over the detention of Islamabad-based journalist Sohrab Barkat, calling on Pakistani authorities to disclose the reasons for his arrest and ensure his rights are protected. The human rights organisation said Barkat’s continued detention without a transparent legal justification raises pressing questions about press freedom and due process in Pakistan.
Barkat, a journalist known for his reporting on social and political issues in the Pakistani capital, was detained by law enforcement officials in Islamabad on December 20, 2025. The circumstances of his arrest have not been fully clarified by authorities, and Amnesty International said it had not been provided with credible information about whether formal charges have been filed against him or if he has been allowed access to legal counsel and family. The organisation warned that indefinite detention without a transparent legal process undermines fundamental rights and protections under both Pakistani law and international standards.
In a public statement, Amnesty International highlighted that Barkat’s case appears to follow a worrying pattern of actions against journalists and media workers in Pakistan, where detentions and legal pressures against critics have been reported in recent years. The rights group emphasised that journalism is a legitimate profession essential to democratic engagement and public accountability, and that the arbitrary detention of journalists for their reporting or commentary is a violation of freedom of expression. It urged Pakistani authorities to either promptly charge Barkat with a bona fide offence and ensure due process, or release him unconditionally. (Tribune India; ANI News)
According to media reports, Barkat’s family and legal representatives have not received official notification outlining the basis for his arrest. Observers say the lack of clear information regarding the charges or conditions of his detention exacerbates concerns about potential abuses of authority. Advocacy groups are calling for immediate clarification from Pakistan’s government about Barkat’s legal status and whereabouts. (ANI News; Newsonair.gov.in)
Civil society organisations and press freedom advocates have rallied in support of Barkat, urging the government of Pakistan to uphold constitutional protections for freedom of the press and to safeguard journalists from arbitrary arrest and detention. The calls reflect broader civil liberties debates in Pakistan, where journalists frequently face legal pressures, harassment, and security threats linked to their reporting.
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