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February 06, 2026 – Pakistan –
Independent journalist Sohrab Barkat has now been held in detention for more than 60 days, after authorities arrested him in late December 2025 amid a broader crackdown on media freedoms in the country. Barkat’s prolonged detention coincided with the closure of the Islamabad office of his former employer, amplifying concerns among press freedom advocates about shrinking space for independent reporting and due process violations.
Barkat, a correspondent known for covering issues such as corruption, governance, and social justice, was taken into custody by law enforcement in Islamabad, where he had been reporting on allegations of official misconduct. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), authorities did not immediately clarify the specific charges against him, and Barkat has been held without formal indictment or transparent legal proceedings.
During Barkat’s detention, his employer — an Islamabad-based media organisation — announced the shutdown of its local office, citing what it described as an “untenable operating environment” amid legal pressures and intimidation faced by staff members. The move effectively displaced a team of reporters and editors, raising alarm among media freedom groups that economic and judicial pressures are being used in tandem to curb independent journalism.
Colleagues who worked with Barkat said he last filed reports on cases involving political corruption and administrative negligence before his arrest. Family members reported limited access to legal counsel and difficulty obtaining updates on his condition, while authorities have provided only vague statements about ongoing investigations.
Press freedom advocates have condemned Barkat’s detention as part of a pattern of punitive actions that undermine journalist safety and the public’s right to information. In a statement, CPJ urged Pakistani authorities to release Barkat immediately or bring him before a judge with clear charges consistent with international human rights standards. The organisation also stressed the importance of ensuring that journalists can be held accountable only through transparent and fair legal processes, not indefinite detention without charge.
Media analysts note that Barkat’s case reflects wider pressures facing journalists in Pakistan, where reporters covering politically sensitive topics — including corruption, security policies and government accountability — have reported harassment, legal threats and, in some instances, detention. Advocates argue that such actions chill investigative journalism and deter robust coverage of issues critical to public interest.
As of early February 2026, Barkat remained in custody with no scheduled court appearance announced, and his employer’s Islamabad office has not reopened. Rights groups continue to monitor the situation and call for international attention to ensure that legal protections for the press are upheld and that Barkat’s detention is reviewed in line with due process principles.
Reference –
Pakistani journalist Sohrab Barkat detained for more than 60 days as employer shuts Islamabad office
