- The State Department’s assessment also found “physical violence, inhumane treatment and illegal invasion of people’s privacy in Pakistan in 2022
Islamabad: The United States (US) Country Report 2022 on Tuesday revealed that journalist Arshad Sharif left Pakistan after registration of cases against him and finally he was assassinated there in Kenya.
The report uncovered violations of human rights and freedom of expression in Pakistan, making TV headlines.
After assassination of journalist, the report said, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered probe into the matter.
The brutal murder of the journalists grabbed worldwide condemnation and raised serious questions about the security, safety and protection of the journalists in Pakistan.
The US report also revealed that PEMRA banned ARY TV transmission on August 9 on the directives of the federal government, saying that several journalists including Imran Riaz, Sabir Shakir, Arshad Sharif and others faced harassment for criticising the incumbent government.
It mentioned lack of accountability, abuses including corruption and misconduct in the country, pointing out absence of the rule of law as the culture of impunity got promoted.
The State Department’s assessment also found “physical violence, inhumane treatment and illegal invasion of people’s privacy in Pakistan in 2022”.
“The law provides for freedom of expression, including for members of the press, but constitutional restrictions exist,” it added.
