Freedom Network, an independent media rights organization, marked the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists (IDEI) with a roundtable on “Journalist Safety Mechanisms and Ending Impunity” at a local hotel in Islamabad, held in collaboration with the Embassies of Germany, the Netherlands and France.
The roundtable brought together senior representatives from media bodies, civil society and the diplomatic community to honour the courage and resilience of Pakistani journalists who continue to uphold the truth at great personal risk.
Among the distinguished guests were the Ambassadors of Germany and the Netherlands, the Deputy Head of Mission of the French Embassy and the Chairperson of the Federal Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals (FCPJMP).
In his opening remarks, Iqbal Khattak, Executive Director of Freedom Network, called for coordinated action to ensure that every attack on a journalist is investigated and prosecuted, that cooperation between law enforcement and media bodies is strengthened, and that safety training is expanded, especially for women journalists who face unique threats.
German Ambassador Ina Lepel, Netherlands Ambassador Robert-Jan Siegert, and Jean-Charles Allard, First Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of France in Pakistan, reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to press freedom. Ambassador Siegert said access to transparent and reliable information was the foundation of free and successful societies, and safety for journalists and media professionals was essential for this to function. Ambassador Lepel noted that journalism remained one of the world’s most dangerous professions, as documented on the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity. Allard added that freedom of expression was one of the most precious rights for both Europeans and Pakistanis.
Two panel discussions followed the opening session.
The first panel, titled “Making Protection Mechanisms Work: Federal and Provincial Tools in Practice,” featured Kamal-ud-Din Tipu, Chairperson of the Federal Commission for Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals; Hamid Mir, Chairperson of the Pakistan Journalists Safety Coalition, Federal Chapter; Mazhar Abbas, Member of the Sindh Commission on the Safety of Journalists and Media Professionals; and Nasir Zaidi, Executive Member of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists. The panel was moderated by senior journalist and anchorperson Asma Shirazi. Speakers emphasized reform of restrictive laws such as PECA, unity among journalist bodies around a shared agenda for press freedom, and stronger capacity and independence for federal and provincial safety commissions. Kamal-ud-Din Tipu described protection as a collective responsibility and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to becoming more functional and effective.
The second panel, “Navigating Legal Challenges and Redress,” featured Sadaf Khan, Co-founder of Media Matters for Democracy; Barrister Rida Hosain, Advocate High Court; and Benazir Shah, Chief Editor of Geo Fact Check. It was moderated by Shehzil Zahid, freelance journalist and media development practitioner. The discussion focused on digital safety, gender inclusion, countering misinformation, and creating safer environments for women journalists.
Panelists stressed the need for media reforms that protect both professional and personal freedoms.
The event concluded with a shared commitment to uphold press freedom, ensure accountability for crimes against journalists, and promote a media environment based on safety, independence and democratic values.
