International committee urges Pakistani authorities to “rapidly, impartially investigate death threats against journalists”

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CJP) has called on anchorperson Hamid Mir to urge Pakistani authorities to swiftly and impartially investigate death threats and online harassment against senior journalists in the country, Geo News reported.

Pakistani authorities have been requested to investigate the case of journalist Hamid Mir, who recently received death threats for his online comments supporting free speech. He also urged to ensure the security of Mir.

Mir, who hosts Geo News’ show “Capital Talk”, told CJP that he has received several death threats on social media and has been warned that his life is in danger.

According to Geo News, the committee said that last week, 57-year-old Mir had reported the threats to the police in Islamabad, however, no First Information Report (FIR) has been filed yet and no investigation has been initiated. .

The journalist also told CJP that he had seen at least two people filming him last week when he was in his car near his home in Islamabad.

He said that when he reached them, people ran away, Geo News reported.

“The threats and online hate campaign against one of Pakistan’s most prominent television anchors reflects the severity of the intimidation and pressure faced by journalists in Pakistan,” said CPJ Asia program coordinator Beh Lih Yee.

“Pakistani security agencies should take immediate action against those trying to silence Hamid Mir and hold them accountable,” Yee said.

Notably, senior journalists from Pakistan have survived at least two assassination attempts.

Earlier in 2014, he was shot and then in 2012, his driver was found with explosives kept under his care, as reported by Geo News.

According to Dawn, last year, Pakistan police entered the house of Pakistani correspondent Khurshid Anwar Khan without any warrant and searched his house, harassing his family.

Mianwali police surrounded the house with a dozen policemen, while female police officers searched the house without producing any warrant.

Reacting to the incident, journalist Hamid Mir said journalism in Pakistan was becoming “very difficult”.

In a post on social media platform X, Mir said, “Journalism is becoming very difficult in Pakistan. Security agencies are monitoring stories filed by district correspondents and harassing them through local police. “Censorship is no longer a secret, the Constitution has become a joke.”