Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses a ceremony in Islamabad marking International Youth Day on Aug 12, 2025. Photo: Express
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated that his government is firmly committed to protecting press freedom and ensuring a safe environment for journalists.
“A free press is the guarantee for a strong, transparent and democratic Pakistan,” the PM said in a message on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on Sunday.
Today, he said, served as a reminder that a free, informed and responsible press was the foundation of any democratic society, adding that journalists enable the public’s access to facts and stand as torchbearers of truth.
“Acts of violence, threats or vengeance against them in the course of their professional duties are, in fact, attacks on freedom of expression,” he was quoted as saying.
The prime minister also paid tribute to all journalists, who endured hardships in the pursuit of truth and justice and expressed solidarity with the families of those writers, journalists and media workers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
“We will take all necessary measures to guarantee effective investigation of crimes against journalists, deliver justice, and ensure legal action against the perpetrators,” he said
The prime minister urged the international community, media organizations, and civil society to play their part in safeguarding journalists and promoting freedom of expression.
In a separate message, the PM also felicitated the Independent Group led by Ahsan Bhoon on securing majority seats in Islamabad Bar Council and Punjab Bar Council polls.
He observed that the lawyers’ community played an important role in strengthening democracy, ensuring dispensation of justice and protection of the citizens’ rights.
He expressed the hope that the newly elected representatives of the legal fraternity would continue performing their functions with honesty, professional capacity and with a strong sense of responsibility for serving the society.
“I strongly hope that you will continue playing your vital role for the judiciary and rule of law. The lawyers’ community has adopted a principled stance without leaning to political affiliations and voting on such principles, paved way for triumph,” he said
The prime minister said Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar was active in the resolution of legal community’s issues and had been in constant contact with him.
The pro-government Ahsan BhoonAzam Nazeer Tarar group secured a majority in the elections for Islamabad Bar Council and the Punjab Bar Council on Saturday.
In the Islamabad Bar Council, candidates backed by the Bhoon-Tarar group won three out of five seats, while the Hamid Khan group secured one and an independent candidate claimed another.
From the Bhoon group, Abdul Rehman Hur Bajwa topped the list with 1,369 votes, followed by Aalim Abbasi with 1,351 votes, Hafeezullah Yaqoob with 1,295, Zafar Khokhar with 1,288, and Asif Irfan with 1,126 votes.
Hafeezullah Yaqoob of the Hamid Khan group was also elected as a member of the bar council while Zafar Khokhar won as an independent.
