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March 21, 2025 – Pakistan –
In a deeply troubling development for press freedom in Pakistan, journalist Farhan Mallick, founder and editor of the independent news outlet Raftar, was arrested by federal authorities in Karachi on March 20, 2025. The arrest occurred following a late-night raid on his home, during which electronic devices and documents were seized. His outlet, known for investigative journalism and critical reporting on state affairs, was also blocked by Pakistan’s media regulatory body, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Mallick’s detention and the silencing of Raftar come amid increasing government efforts to stifle dissent and clamp down on independent media. The journalist faces accusations of disseminating false information and promoting “anti-state” narratives, charges that rights groups say are vague and often weaponized against critics. Authorities have yet to provide clear evidence or formally charge Mallick in court, further fueling concerns about due process and the rule of law.
According to eyewitnesses and colleagues, Mallick was taken without a warrant and has been denied regular access to legal counsel. The Raftar website was rendered inaccessible to users shortly after his arrest, raising alarms about deliberate state censorship aimed at muzzling critical voices. Reports indicate that Mallick had recently published stories highlighting government corruption, security force abuses, and civil rights violations—topics that have historically triggered government retaliation in Pakistan.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), and several local press unions have condemned Mallick’s detention and the shutdown of Raftar. They demand his immediate release and the restoration of the news site. Many view the incident as part of a larger pattern of intimidation that seeks to create a chilling effect on journalism in the country.
This case follows a disturbing trend of escalating state control over the media landscape in Pakistan, where journalists who challenge official narratives face harassment, surveillance, and violence. Press freedom advocates warn that unless immediate action is taken, the space for independent journalism in Pakistan will continue to shrink, leaving citizens in the dark and democracy weaker for it.
Reference –
https://www.dawn.com/news/1900244
Pakistan authorities detain Raftar founder Farhan Mallick in Karachi
