Date: November 8, 2025 Karachi : The Sindh Committee of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) has strongly condemned restrictions on press freedom, curbs on print media, the negative implications of the PECA Act, and censorship of content, terming them a threat to both democracy and the state.
The meeting was presided over by CPNE Sindh Committee Chairman Qazi Asad Abid. Participants expressed deep concern over the deteriorating state of press freedom in the country. Members noted that on one hand, arrests, dismissals, and institutional pressures on journalists have undermined the fundamental principles of journalism, while on the other hand, the reintroduction of censorship, press advice, and misuse of the PECA Act have severely restricted freedom of expression.
They emphasized that the print media is a responsible medium that conveys the government’s stance to the public with great care and accountability. Any damage to it, they warned, could ultimately harm the government’s own narrative. The members agreed that CPNE must formulate a strong narrative to safeguard press freedom so that the journalist community can perform its professional duties with independence and dignity.
Participants observed that although digital media has expanded rapidly, the importance of print media remains intact. Across the world, efforts are being made to address challenges facing print journalism and to revive its popularity. Similar initiatives, they stressed, are needed in Pakistan, with CPNE expected to play a leading role in this regard.
It was also proposed that CPNE should organize “Print Media Conferences” focusing on content quality, reader engagement, and professional training.
During discussions on pending dues of the Sindh Information Department and the Press Information Department (PID), CPNE Secretary General Ghulam Nabi Chandio, Dr. Jabbar Khattak, Anwar Sajidi, and other members emphasized that transparency must be ensured in the government’s advertising system. They called for the immediate release of pending payments withheld by agencies and urged the Sindh Government to publicly share its advertising policy, client list, and payment regulations.
The participants congratulated Secretary General Ghulam Nabi Chandio and Finance Secretary Hamid Hussain Abidi on the relocation of the CPNE Secretariat to a new office and paid tribute to the services of former Secretary General Ejazul Haq, Arif Baloch, and other members.
Prayers were offered for the late Aamir Mahmood and other deceased CPNE members. Concluding the meeting, Chairman Qazi Asad Abid announced that, in view of the ongoing challenges and threats to press freedom and print media, meetings of the CPNE Sindh Committee would now be held every month.
The meeting was attended by Chairman Sindh Committee Qazi Asad Abid, Secretary General Ghulam Nabi Chandio, Finance Secretary Hamid Hussain Abidi, Joint Secretary Sindh Manzah Seham, and senior members Dr. Jabbar Khattak, Anwar Sajidi, Maqsood Yousufi, Faqeer Manthar Mangrio, Syed Hasan Abbas, Arif Baloch, Sher Muhammad Khawer, Nusrat Mirza, Ali bin Younus, Abdul Sami Mangrio, Abdul Rehman Sikandar, Muddasir Alam, Talha Hashmi, Salman Qureshi, Atif Sadiq Sheikh, Syed Hamid, Waheed Memon, Saleem Sheikh, Nasrullah Tenyu, and Raja Khurram.
