CPJ flags self-censorship risk after Law Minister Azam Tarar’s warning on foreign policy discussions
Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar addressing a press conference in Islamabad on July 20, 2023. PHOTO: PID/ File
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) raised concerns and flagged self-censorship risks on Thursday over Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar’s warning of possible legal action against journalists and commentators who crossed “red lines” while discussing Pakistan’s foreign policy amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
CPJ’s Asia-Pacific regional director, Beh Lih Yi, voiced alarm over the minister’s statement in a post on X. “We are alarmed by Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar's warning that Pakistani journalists and commentators could face legal action for critical coverage of foreign policy,” she said.
The media watchdog said independent analysis and reporting on international affairs were critical for public understanding of how global developments affect domestic issues.
“What happens abroad affects people at home, and threats like this can foster self-censorship among the press that ultimately undermines the public's right to information,” Yi said.
#Pakistan: CPJ is alarmed by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar’s vague threat of legal action against journalists and commentators who cross “red lines” when discussing foreign policy. Independent analysis and reporting of international affairs is critical to the public’s… pic.twitter.com/S03u4gjIUr
She urged the government to ensure that no journalist was targeted for their work. "Pakistani authorities must make clear they will not use broadly framed legal threats or political pressure to silence critical reporting on foreign policy," it added.
The CPJ is an independent, nonprofit organisation that promotes press freedom worldwide and defends journalists’ right to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal.
The statement came a day after Tarar urged media organisations and online commentators to exercise caution when discussing Pakistan’s foreign policy, saying certain analyses had caused “unease” among friendly countries.
The minister had said commentary originating from Pakistan had led to diplomatic queries from abroad about whether such views represented official policy or personal opinion.
Read: Govt warns against ‘sensational’ commentary on foreign policy, cites national security concerns
Tarar referred to Article 19 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, but said such views must remain within constitutional boundaries.
“As far as Pakistan's foreign policy is concerned and its relations with the Gulf [...] we cannot speculate if Pakistan is with Iran, then what could it mean for its relations with Saudi Arabia [...] or if we are with the UAE, then what does that mean for our relations with Saudi Arabia.”
The minister also warned that negative vlogs or commentary about relations between countries aimed at gaining online views could harm Pakistan’s interests.
“Creating sensationalism to gain views is harmful. In the current situation, spreading sensationalism is not a service to the country,” he had said.
Tarar cautioned against “sensational” commentary on Pakistan’s foreign policy, warning that action would be taken if “red lines” were crossed.
The minister did not name any individual or social media account. However, since the conflict in the region escalated, several vloggers and online commentators have been discussing the situation while raising questions about Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Amid rising tensions in the Middle East following US-Israeli strikes on Iran, Pakistan has reiterated its strong strategic commitment to Saudi Arabia while urging restraint to prevent a wider regional conflict.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also discussed the evolving situation during a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, stressing that dialogue and diplomatic engagement were essential to ensure peace, stability and de-escalation in the region.
At the same time, the prime minister’s spokesperson for foreign media, Mosharraf Zaidi, said Pakistan would firmly stand with Saudi Arabia if required, highlighting the depth of ties between the two countries.
Iran has responded to the US-Israeli strikes by launching waves of drone and missile attacks not only toward Israel but also at Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, hosting US military installations, dragging the region deeper into the conflict.
The escalation has hit key infrastructure, including airports, ports, hotels, and oil and military facilities across Gulf countries.
The attacks have also disrupted oil and gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for roughly a fifth of the world’s petroleum and LNG, while airspace closures across the region have forced airlines to cancel around 40,000 flights, the largest disruption to global air travel since the Covid-19 pandemic.