According to a survey by the Economy of Pakistan, 80% of people feel unsafe while tweeting about government authorities.
Economy of Pakistan, which is one of the country’s leading Twitter platforms dedicated to providing updates on the economy, recently conducted a poll on Twitter asking whether or not the public feels safe while tweeting about Pakistan’s government, political parties, and other authorities.
Read more: US journalist urges Pakistan to honor press freedom
Over 2000 people took part in the poll, out of which 80% said they feel unsafe. Pertinent to mention, the Twitter poll comes amid the backdrop of PTI leader Shahbaz Gill’s arrest. The PTI leader’s arrest has caused a storm in Pakistan, especially since he has claimed that he was tortured while in police custody.
“If we do not let people channel their bitterness, this will create something disastrous, for others and also for the government themselves,” Economy of Pakistan tweeted while sharing the poll results.
82% of people, out of 2000+ consider themselves unsafe while tweeting about govt/authorities.
If we do not let people channelise their bitterness, this will create something disastrous, for others & also for the govt/authorities themselves. https://t.co/URZYw4zDUW
— Economy of Pakistan (@Pakistanomy) August 19, 2022
Crackdown in Pakistan
Ever since PML-N came into power, there has been a drastic shift in the atmosphere as reports emerged of people, especially journalists, claiming that they are being harassed by authorities for being “too critical” of the incumbent government and institutions.
Moreover, media suppression has always been prevalent in Pakistan. Journalists have been booked under false charges and have also had their lives threatened. However, in the past few months, Pakistan has witnessed an increase in strict action against journalists criticizing the government.
Read more: Media suppression: Another era of terror launched in Pakistan
Leading journalist Imran Riaz Khan – who is known for being extremely critical of the incumbent government – was arrested last month for being implicated in a slew of cases that he says were motivated by his refusal to “stop speaking the truth”. The journalistic community, including the public, strongly condemned the arrest.
Similarly, senior journalist Ayaz Amir was also attacked by six unknown assailants who snatched his wallet and mobile phone. They also tore off his clothes.
This month, the government went as far as to ban the transmission of one of Pakistan’s leading news channels, ARY News. The Interior Minister recently canceled the NOC of ARY.