P
akistan poses significant challenges for journalists, particularly those who dare to investigate sensitive topics like real estate developments or government corruption. The country's press freedom has been steadily declining since 2019, with the Reporters Without Borders' Press Freedom Index showing a 10-point drop.
Despite these obstacles, Pakistani journalists continue to produce courageous reporting that sheds light on critical issues. For instance, Naziha Syed Ali's investigation into Bahria Town, a gated community in Karachi, revealed how the real estate company had expanded beyond its allocated land and misled buyers. Similarly, Akbar Notezai's story on the Turbat-Balida Road exposed embezzlement by public officials and systemic financial corruption.
In another example, Roohan Ahmed's investigation into a social media campaign that spread misinformation about an alleged rape in Lahore highlighted how false information can quickly go viral and lead to large-scale protests. Her reporting also revealed how the Federal Investigation Agency traced the initial claims to 13 Instagram accounts and registered a case against 36 people for spreading misinformation.
The country's blasphemy laws have also been a subject of investigation, with VoicePK discovering that only a small number of individuals were behind hundreds of online blasphemy accusations across Pakistan. An AFP investigation found that private "vigilante groups" often bring these cases to trial, and there may be a financial motive behind the accusations.
Other stories highlighted in this collection include Amara Shah's investigation into a development project in Punjab province, which revealed how plans for the project were approved by the caretaker government ahead of elections; and Lok Sujag's special series on sanitary workers in Pakistan's Punjab province, which exposed systemic issues affecting these workers, including social stigma, poor working conditions, and drug addiction.
These stories demonstrate the courage and dedication of Pakistani journalists who continue to report on critical issues despite facing significant challenges.
