IJNet: Journalist of the month- independent multimedia reporter Ahmer Khan, 28 years old

At 28 years old, independent multimedia journalist Ahmer Khan has already been nominated for an Emmy for his work alongside a team of reporters on the film “India Burning.” The film, which is part of a series produced by VICE News and Showtime, spotlights the rise of Hindu nationalism in the country. 

Khan was born and raised in Kashmir, a disputed territory between India and Pakistan. He has been reporting since 2013, when he was still in high school. Since then, Khan has worked on projects for various publications including The New York Times, The Guardian, Radio France Internationale, Time, Buzzfeed and the Los Angeles Times covering conflicts, human rights and natural disasters.

“From natural disasters and humanitarian crises, to human rights, I have done it all. But I'm sure there’s still a long road ahead because I'm only 28,” reflected Khan. 

In 2019, Khan won the Agence France Presse Kate Webb Prize honoring journalists working in difficult conditions in Asia. He also won the 2018 Lorenzo Natali Media Prize after discovering the contest on IJNet. 

Also through IJNet, Khan took part in the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma at Columbia University’s annual four-day crisis zone reporting course. During the program, 16 freelance journalists received training on risk assessment, digital security and emergency first aid to prepare them for reporting in hostile environments. 

We spoke to Khan about his career as a young freelance journalist and his experiences reporting throughout Asia. 

IJNet: How did you begin working as a journalist?

Khan: I was 18-years-old in 2010 and, being from Kashmir, I saw public protests begin happening for the first time. Before this I had only heard about the militancy or public unrest in the 90s, in the early days of my life because I was born ‘92. I started my journey when I was in high school, and in college I did freelance work. [It] started with Al-Jazeera in 2014, and then there was no turning back. In my first year of college I went to Nepal to cover the 2015 earthquake that killed more than 10,000 people over there for VICE News. 

I think the reason I went into journalism was because I saw a lot of trouble in my region in Kashmir, which prompted me to do some sort of reporting to report the truth from our region. I have always worked with international media, which is not as biased as national media in India, and I wanted to be a part of truthful and accurate journalism.

Has growing up in Kashmir affected your work reporting on conflicts?

Having a conflict at home, in your backyard, you tend to learn the trade tricks and what to be aware of. I’ve carried that with me into all my reporting. I've traveled across South Asia to report on other countries, for example, the Rohingya crisis, the crisis in Sri Lanka or Nepal and in mainland India. 

I also need to work on a lot of other stories which are unfolding in front of our eyes because South Asia is rapidly changing in every country right now.

Have any particular stories uniquely impacted you or your work?

I think the crisis which unfolded last August in Kashmir really impacted Kashmiri journalists in the sense that a lot of things have changed for journalists in Kashmir. For example, there's a Kashmiri journalist who was rounded up by police and then assaulted and slapped twice in the police station in the main city of Kashmir.

Because our work had become so restricted, I was traveling in 2019 between Kashmir and Delhi to get information and just to use internet connection because we had no internet at that time for several months. The government set up a small media center in Kashmir for the journalists to use, but there were hundreds of journalists and only four computers — state surveilled computers — allowed for us to use. I decided not to use them and I went to Delhi at least 16 times in the first two weeks. I used to come in the morning and go back in the evening, but we had to wrap up everything by four o'clock in the evening and then take a five o'clock flight because the airport security is a big hassle. It takes hours for us to get through the security check in Kashmir. That was really hard, but my work was awarded a couple of times earlier this year, including by AFP, which really brought me happiness. 

What advice would you offer young independent journalists?

I've always said one thing: “If you're really good, or if the story is really good, it will be sold out no matter who you are or where you are.” 

Editors are always out looking for good stories. Obviously, budget cuts have happened recently, but that's everywhere, not in one part of the world. I think young journalists around the world need to understand that they don't need to think so much about their limitations and instead should think more about their work. Obviously there's a lot of competition out there, but if you believe in yourself, if you believe in your story and if the story is original and you touch the human part of it — because every story has a human part to whether it’s culture, sports, economics, human rights or conflict — I'm really confident that you'll be able to sell your story. 

There's a lot of cutthroat competition out there, there is no denying that, but if you do good stories, I think you’ll go far. courtesy: IJNet

Pakistan: FIA registered cases against 49 media persons & social media activists under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act

Islamabad, Pakistan: “Biggest crackdown against journalists & social media activists to date in Pakistan. FIA register cases against 49 journalists & social media activists under PECA. 

Names include Umar Cheema, Azaz Syed, Murtaza solang, Ammar masood, Asad A Toor, Bilalfqi etc,” Mubashir Zaidi tweeted on Thursday night. Zaidi, who hosts the popular talk show, Zara Hat Kay, didn’t give more details. Journalist bodies have condemned the move and have demanded that the cases be withdrawn. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists in a tweet vowed to hold countrywide protests if the government didn’t withdraw the cases.

In a statement, the FIA said the agency has received complaints against 49 social media activists from a few complainants with evidence. “Cases have been registered against these activists and the FIA is issuing notices to these activists shortly,” the agency said. The FIA said strict action was likely to be taken against the individuals based on evidence that would be found to be detrimental to state institutions, especially the country’s security forces.

In a tweet after the FIA’s announcement, Murtaza Solangi, one of the journalists charged, said he would continue to fight for constitutionally guaranteed freedoms. “We shall not bow before fascist thuggery,” he tweeted, adding, “We shall not surrender our fundamental rights.”

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned the FIA’s move, tweeting, “The HRCP is alarmed by the news in circulation that the FIA is registering cases against 49 journalists and social media activists under PECA regulations. We demand that the state refrain from such action and stop using the FIA to curb political dissent.”

A fortnight ago, global monitor Human Rights Watch (HRW) had stated in a report critical of the government that a week prior to that, Prime Minister Imran Khan had “asserted there is no media crackdown in Pakistan, and that he and his government are far more unprotected than the media”.

Express Tribune journalist Bilal Farooqi arrested in Karachi for 'defaming Pakistan Army'

Karachi, Pakistan: Bilal Farooqi, a senior journalist associated with English-language daily The Express Tribune, was allegedly taken into custody from his home in Karachi's DHA neighbourhood by Defence police on Friday evening, according to his family, friends and official sources.

Karachi police chief, Additional Inspector General Ghulam Nabi Memon, confirmed to Dawn that "Bilal Farooqui of Express Tribune" had been "arrested by the station investigation officer (SIO) of Defence police". Memon said Farooqi was "wanted in FIR. dated 9.9.2020”. Earlier, a senior police officer, who requested anonymity, told Dawn that the FIR against Farooqi was under Sections 500 and 505 of the Pakistan Penal Code and Sections 11 and 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), 2016, on September 9 on the complaint of a private citizen.

Farooqi works as a news editor at the newspaper, according to a report published in ET. In a tweet, journalist Ebad Ahmed said Farooqi was taken into custody from his home by "two men in plainclothes accompanied by two policemen".

He said police later visited his home again and officials informed Farooqi's wife that he had been detained at a police station in DHA. "Police have taken possession of Bilal’s phone," the journalist added.

According to the contents of the FIR reviewed by Dawn, the complainant, Javed Khan, a resident of Majeed Colony in Landhi, said that he is a machine operator at a factory in the Landhi area. He said he visited a restaurant in DHA Phase-II Extension on Sept 9 where he checked his Facebook and Twitter accounts and found "highly objectionable material" shared by Farooqi on the two platforms.

The complainant in Express Tribune news editor Bilal Farooqi’s arrest is said to have told police that when he “opened his Facebook and Twitter accounts” he was outraged to see his posts - the complaint is a machine operator by profession and a resident of Landhi in Karachi pic.twitter.com/1RszBW2xZR

— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) September 11, 2020

The complainant claimed that "highly provocative posts" had been shared by Farooqi against the Pakistan Army and that the same also contained material pertaining to religious hatred.

Khan alleged that Farooqi had "defamed" the Pakistan Army and such social media posts may be used by hostile elements for their "nefarious designs". Therefore, legal action should be taken against him, he said.

The specific posts which led to the filing of the complaint could not be immediately ascertained. Meanwhile, the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ), in a statement released later in the evening, said "that the arrest of Bilal was part of the nefarious and concerted campaign to gag the free and independent voices".

The statement observed that "Bilal Farooqi, an active journalist who also remained executive committee of the KUJ, has been an educated and responsible youth, who never indulged in any kind of violation of Pakistani laws".

"His only crime is that he dissents with ruling elites and raises his voice for the betterment and a progressive society," remarked Ashraf Khan, the KUJ president. Ahmed Khan Malik, the KUJ's secretary-general demanded his immediate release. He said "We demand withdrawal of false charges against Bilal and he must be released immediately".

27-year-old female TV journalist Murdered in Pakistan, Five bullets were fired in Balochistan

Islamabad, Pakistan: A woman journalist was shot dead at her home in Turbat area of Balochistan’s Kech district on Saturday evening allegedly by her husband, police said.

Shaheena Shaheen, was a local anchor at PTV

This is the latest incident in a series of gruesome examples of domestic violence in Pakistan. The victim- Shaheena Shaheen, was a local anchorperson at PTV and editor of a local magazine. She was also a student of fine arts at the University Of Balochistan. It is believed her husband killed Shaheen because she was becoming famous in her area, a conservative part of Balochistan. In a report compiled in 2018, it was estimated that 50 people, including 30 women, had been killed in the name of honour in Balochistan.

The report was compiled by The Aurat Foundation- a non-governmental organisation- working for protection of the rights of women and shared with the public at a press conference in Quetta, the provincial capital. According to programme officer Muhammad Ashfaq Mengal, the victims were mostly killed by close relatives, including husbands, brothers and other relatives in the name of so-called honour and small family feuds.

This seems to be the case behind the death of Shaheen as well. “The killing was the result of domestic violence,” Kech superintendent of police Najeebullah Pandrani said, adding that police were investigating the murder. He said no arrests had been made so far. However, Shaheen’s family lodged a first information report (FIR) against her husband, whom she married five months ago. Her body was shifted to her residence for burial, police said.

Pakistan: Female Pakistani journalists said, Social media campaigns to harass, discredit and intimidate us

Islamabad, Pakistan: In rare testimony Tuesday, two dozen female Pakistani journalists complained that they have encountered “coordinated” vicious social media campaigns to harass, discredit and intimidate them for their work.

The highly emotional testimonies before a parliamentary committee on human rights brought some of the journalists from various Pakistani media outlets close to tears as they talked about the gender-specific harassment and threats they face online. Some of them alleged that Twitter accounts affiliated with the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Party and right-wing elements in the society were behind the “organized” attacks.

Several of the witnesses described the explicit nature of sexual abuse they faced, including social media trolls calling them “prostitutes” or “whores” and threatening them with rape or death. Some of the journalists complained that their social media accounts were hacked and personal details leaked online. They vowed to resist the attacks and demanded an investigation by the committee.


“The political parties are our first line of defense. When you crumble, the hands reach us,” Munizae Jahangir, a television news anchor, said. "We have learned from experience that when you speak up, it makes a difference.” “I am ready to fight, but there are a lot of young female journalists with me who are told by their families to quit their jobs,” said Asma Shirazi, a primetime television anchor.

“We are not going to let you keep our daughters at home by calling them whores or prostitutes.” Shirazi added that her house had been broken into twice, and the crimes remain unresolved. Journalist Reema Omar told the committee that threats against her included “how different people would like to rape me.” She demanded that the PTI condemn the threats.

One of the journalists said she lost her job after complaining about sexual harassment. Some of the witnesses warned that their testimonies could be used as an excuse to further curtail freedom of speech in Pakistan.

“I am especially noting down that you are not blaming any one political party,” opposition leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, head of the parliamentary committee, said. “I have no other words other than to vociferously apologize.”

Shirin Mazari, federal minister for human rights and a key leader of the ruling party, denounced the attacks against the journalists as “unacceptable.” She noted that she and her daughter have both been victims of social media trolls.

Mazari assured lawmakers during Tuesday’s hearing that her government would not tolerate such attacks and that PTI workers were not behind them. “I took it up with our social media team, and they categorically denied that they were involved in such trolling,” Mazari told lawmakers. “If any PTI-linked accounts are involved, give me the information. I assure we will take action.”

At the conclusion of the hearing, the committee resolved to summon government and military officials in a next session to get their response to the allegations. It also promised to forward some of the cases brought up during the hearing to relevant Pakistani investigative agencies for further action.

The number of female journalists in Pakistan’s traditionally male-dominated society has increased in recent years, and so have incidents of online harassment and abuse, critics said. Tuesday’s unprecedented testimony stemmed from a joint statement issued online and signed by dozens of female Pakistani journalists to highlight abuses they have encountered.

“Women in the media are not only targeted for their work but also their gender. Our social media timelines are then barraged with gender-based slurs, threats of sexual and physical violence,” the statement said. “The online attacks are instigated by government officials and then amplified by a large number of Twitter accounts, which declare their affiliation to the ruling party.” courtesy: voanews

39 injured in a grenade attack on a pro Kashmir rally in Pakistan's Karachi

Karachi, Pakistan: At least 39 people were injured in a grenade attack as Pakistani government officials led rallies in support of Kashmiris on Wednesday and Prime Minister Imran Khan spoke at the legislature of the portion of Kashmir under his country's control as the country observed first anniversary of the annulment of the special status of Kashmir by India.

Last August, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government stripped Jammu and Kashmir - India's only Muslim-majority state - of its special rights and split it into two federally administered territories. In his speech, Khan condemned Delhi's actions and said Pakistan's efforts to lift the issue on the international stage were drawing the world's attention to abuses in Kashmir.

"Myself I have talked to all top world leaders, to Trump two or three times I told him how dangerous it is for the world, that it is a flashpoint, to Merkel of Germany, to Boris Johnson, Macron of France, I explained it to all of them, because they didn't understand but slowly they have understood," he said.

Khan also said Pakistan would honour Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani with Pakistan's highest civil award later this month. Kashmir is claimed in full by India and Pakistan, which have gone to war twice over it, and both rule parts of it. Indian authorities deployed troops and curbed public movement on Wednesday to stop potential protests in Kashmir.

About two hundred people from a Kashmiri group called "World Kashmir Forum" marched in the southern city of Karachi while lawyers burned pictures of Modi. Later in the day, at least 39 people were injured in a grenade attack on a rally in Karachi. The rally organized by Jamaat-e-Islami, a religious right party, was called off after the attack. The wounded were rushed to different hospitals, where one was in a critical condition, an official from the provincial health department said.

The attack was claimed by Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army, a separatist outfit that has become active in the past months. The group wants Sindh province, of which Karachi is the capital, to break from the Pakistani federation. It has also announced its alliance with the Balochistan Liberation Army, a militant group fighting for greater autonomy for the Balochistan region in southwestern Pakistan.