ISLAMABAD: The federal government has established an independent commission for the protection of journalists and media professionals, officials said on Friday.
The move comes under Section 12 of the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021, aimed at safeguarding media workers against harassment, threats, and violence.
The Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals (CPJMP) has been formally notified by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MOIB). It will exercise the powers and perform the functions prescribed under the Act. The CPJMP comprises both ex officio members and representatives from journalist bodies across the country.
Ex officio members include the Principal Information Officer and Executive Director General from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, as well as the Director General HR from the Ministry of Human Rights.
The commission also includes representatives from journalist associations nationwide: Ghulam Nabi Yousafzai from the Press Association of Supreme Court, Nayyer Ali from the National Press Club Islamabad, Naveed Akbar Chaudhary of the Parliamentary Reporters Association of Pakistan, Afzal Butt of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists – Barna, Hassan Abbas of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists – Barna Azeem Group, Muhammad Nawaz Raza of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists – Dastoor, Tahir Hassan Khan from the Karachi Union of Journalists, Tamsela Chisti from the Punjab Union of Journalists, Nadia Saboohi from the Khyber Union of Journalists, and Khalil Ahmed from the Balochistan Union of Journalists.
The commission is mandated to monitor and address violations against media professionals, including physical attacks, intimidation, and censorship attempts. It will also recommend measures to improve working conditions and legal safeguards for journalists in line with the 2021 legislation.
Officials noted that the formation of the CPJMP reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring a secure environment for the press and promoting freedom of expression.
