Pakistan Targets Sikh Journalist in Cybercrime Crackdown

December 14, 2024 – Pakistan –

Pakistani-Sikh journalist Harmeet Singh, an anchor at Such TV, has become the latest focus of state action under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) following his coverage of November 2024 protests by supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Authorities from the Federal Investigation Agency’s Cyber Crime Wing have filed an FIR accusing Singh of propagating anti-state narratives through his social media posts during the Islamabad demonstrations. He was summoned for questioning on December 24 and granted pre-arrest bail until December 21 by a special court in Islamabad, which also barred immediate arrest. The charges pertain to allegedly misleading campaigns aimed at undermining state institutions and instigating public unrest—offenses punishable by significant prison terms under PECA and the Pakistan Penal Code.

The case fits into a broader pattern of intimidation against media figures in Pakistan, as journalists face harassment, arbitrary detentions, financial pressure, and online attacks. Singh, one of the country’s few Sikh journalists, previously survived personal tragedy when his brother was killed, a loss he believes has heightened his exposure to threats. The targeting of Singh underscores a trend of targeting reporters covering politically sensitive events, with senior journalists like Matiullah Jan also summoned or detained under similar pretexts.

Press freedom advocates, led by the Committee to Protect Journalists, denounced the summons as harassment and urged authorities to stop using cybercrime laws as tools to silence critics. PFUJ and civil society groups have joined the outcry, warning that PECA’s expansive scope enables state control over dissent and fosters a climate of fear. The Islamabad court’s temporary relief in barring arrest and granting bail reflects some judicial caution, yet observers caution that piecemeal protections will not curb systemic repression.

Media professionals and human rights lawyers emphasize the need for legal reforms, editorial independence, and broader protections for journalists, particularly those from minority communities who face double vulnerabilities. As Pakistan prepares for legislative reviews of cybercrime and media regulations, Singh’s case has galvanized public debate over free expression, minority representation in journalism, and the government’s intentions toward digital censorship. The situation remains tense: as legal processes unfold, Singh and his colleagues await stronger safeguards to protect Pakistan’s democratic and journalistic integrity.

Reference – 

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/fir-registered-against-sikh-journalist-in-pak/articleshow/116302598.cms

Pakistani authorities summon journalist Harmeet Singh over alleged anti-state rhetoric

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2583068/pakistan