Pakistani journalists live under constant threats: Amnesty

Many journalists interviewed by the Amnesty complained of harassment or attacks by individuals they claimed were connected to the Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). While some are featured in the report with names changed, others could not be included even under a false name because they feared for their lives.

The intelligence agency has been implicated in several abductions, torture and killings of journalists, but no serving ISI officials has ever been held to account - allowing it to effectively operate beyond the reach of the law.

Human rights violations against journalists by the ISI often follow a familiar pattern that starts with threatening phone calls and escalates into abductions, torture and other ill-treatment, and in some cases killings.

Journalists are also victims of human rights abuses by non-state groups across the country. Aggressive competition for media space means that powerful political actors across the country put severe pressure on journalists for favourable coverage.

In Karachi, supporters of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement party, Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat religious group and others stand accused of harassing or killing journalists they consider critical.