Of the reported 65 notices submitted for the alleged spread of disinformation, 47 were sent to journalists, media workers and YouTubers. The FIA’s investigations came following the formation of a five-member Joint Investigation Team to probe alleged disinformation against senior legal figures, identify alleged culprits, and present recommendations to reduce future occurrences.

Several journalists failed to receive notices via post, instead being informed via social media channels. The issues directives mandate the appearance before the office of the Cyber Crime Reporting Centre Sub-Inspecter on January 30 or January 31 to provide statements. According to several notices shared online, non-appearance is to be construed as a lack of defence, while non-compliance may result in further legal action without the defendant’s input.

Pakistan’s Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa has responded to the alleged mistreatment of journalists by the FIA of his own accord. Following the formation and deliberation of a three-member apex court bench, Chief Justice Isa directed Pakistan’s Attorney General on January 30 that action against media workers based on criticism should not be pursued, stating that journalists and the general public were free to criticize court decisions. However, the judgement clarified that the use of abusive language or the incitement of violence against the judiciary was not covered by the action.

Within the same session, Chief Justice Isa directed representatives from the Press Association of the Supreme Court (PAS) and the Islamabad High Court Journalist Association (IHCJA) to meet with the Attorney General. The case will be considered alongside another instituted in 2021 concerning the harassment of journalists at the request of the PAS. The court’s office has directed the Attorney General, FIA Director General, and the Islamabad Chief of Police, and the Director of PEMRA to appear in person before the court.

An online campaign targeting Supreme Court Judges and the broader judiciary was launched following a January 13 verdict revoking the opposition Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of its cricket bat symbol. Caretaker Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi claimed on January 22 that authorities had identified over 500 accounts deployed to the campaign.

PFUJ President GM Jamali and Secretary General Rana Azeem said: “ We are deeply concerned over the government’s practice of harassing journalists, which the PFUJ believe hampers the freedoms of speech and expression. If the government persists in targeting journalists, the PFUJ will strongly protest against this unfavourable behaviour of government agencies attempting to regulate the media.”

The IFJ said: “The harassment of journalists and media workers through notices by Pakistani authorities is in direct opposition to free and independent media. The IFJ urges Pakistani authorities to ensure the safety and security of all media personnel and to operate with respect for Pakistan’s constitutionally enshrined commitments to press freedom.”