Islamabad, Jan 8 — A leading international human rights organisation has strongly criticised Pakistan for invoking anti-terrorism legislation against journalists and political commentators, warning that the move poses serious threats to press freedom, due process, and democratic governance.
The condemnation follows a January 2 verdict by an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad, which sentenced YouTuber Adil Raja, former army officer Syed Akbar Hussain, and journalists Wajahat Saeed Khan, Sabir Shakir, Moeed Pirzada, Shaheen Sehbai, and Haider Mehdi to double life imprisonment in absentia. All the accused currently reside outside Pakistan.
The convictions stem from allegations of so-called “digital terrorism,” with authorities claiming the individuals used online platforms to incite and amplify attacks against state institutions during the unrest of May 9, 2023, which erupted after the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
According to the International Human Rights Foundation (IHRF), credible information indicates that the accused were neither formally notified of the charges nor given access to evidence or a meaningful opportunity to defend themselves. The organisation said such proceedings raise “grave concerns” about judicial independence and Pakistan’s compliance with its constitutional protections and international obligations, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
The IHRF linked the case to wider concerns over recent constitutional changes in Pakistan. It cited warnings from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, who has cautioned that Pakistan’s recently adopted 26th Constitutional Amendment undermines judicial independence and weakens accountability mechanisms, particularly concerning the military.
Echoing these concerns, the International Commission of Jurists has described the amendment as a serious blow to the rule of law, noting that it increases political influence over judicial appointments and court administration.
The rights group further warned that using counterterrorism laws against journalists, especially those living in exile, reflects a growing pattern of judicial harassment and transnational repression. It urged the international community, press freedom organisations, and relevant UN bodies to closely monitor developments and intervene where necessary to protect journalists facing what it described as politically motivated persecution.
