Anchorperson Kashif Abbasi allegedly taken off air after show on election rigging

Renowned Pakistani journalist and television host Kashif Abbasi has allegedly been taken off the air just days after hosting a show discussing the Pattan report on election rigging in the 2023 general elections.

Journalist Zubair Ali Khan posted on X (formerly Twitter), saying that ARY News has placed Abbasi on forced leave for two weeks following his program on the Pattan report, which was released last Thursday.

A year after Pakistan’s general elections in February 2024, the non-governmental organization (NGO) Pattan published a report alleging widespread electoral fraud.

The first installment of the report, titled “The War Against Voters,” presents an analysis of what it describes as a stolen public mandate and increasing authoritarianism in the country.

The report claims that unprecedented irregularities in the general elections led to actions that distorted the structure and essence of the constitution.

It further alleges the subjugation of the judiciary, suppression of media outlets, and crackdowns on independent journalists and social media activists.