hen I began my career in journalism in 2009, I never imagined it would lead me to cover the very conflicts I grew up witnessing in Karachi—ethnic tensions, political unrest, gang wars and sectarian violence. Over time, I realised that Karachi’s turmoil was part of broader conflicts across Pakistan, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

As Pakistan’s largest city and economic hub, Karachi was a key focal point. My work often took me to conflict zones, where I reported on insurgencies and crises. For over 15 years, I have documented the devastation caused by conflict and political instability. But reporting is not just about telling stories—it’s also about surviving the hazards one faces as a journalist. Press freedom is shrinking; censorship is rising; and reporting the truth has become more perilous than ever.

Pakistan ranks 152 out of 180 countries in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). This grim statistic reflects the harsh reality journalists face in a country where the pursuit of truth can be a deadly endeavour. From targeted killings and intimidation to censorship and arbitrary arrests, there are many threats to press freedom. Last month, several journalists from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were included in the Fourth Schedule list of persons of special concern on account of suspected association with terrorism and terrorists.

This year alone, at least eight journalists have been brutally murdered across Pakistan, underscoring the risks reporters face while performing their duties. Among them was Khalil Jibran, a journalist from Khyber district, who was ambushed and killed in June after reportedly receiving threats from militants.

The dangers faced by journalists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly its newly integrated tribal districts are not new. The 2006 killing of Hayatullah Khan in North Waziristan marked the beginning of a perilous era for reporters in the region. Situated along the border with Afghanistan, this area has long been a frontline in the complex conflict involving ‘Islamist’ militants—such as the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan—and the Pakistani state. Often, Western powers like the United States too have been involved.

Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, the situation has worsened. Local journalists face escalating threats from both militant groups and the other side. Both view critical journalism as a challenge to their narratives.

Siddique Mengal, another journalist, was killed in a bomb attack in Balochistan’s Khuzdar district—one of the world’s ten most dangerous cities for journalists, according to Reporters Without Borders in 2014. The designation came after the killings of several journalists and the closure of the local press club that year.

Mengal’s death highlighted the extreme risks associated with reporting from Balochistan, a region where journalists must navigate a treacherous mix of ethnic separatist insurgencies, tribal conflicts and religious extremism. Balochistan’s proximity to both Afghanistan and Iran further complicates the security situation.

“In Balochistan, we face threats from all sides,” says a journalist from Quetta. “Cover the facts and you are threatened from both sides. Most journalists have resorted to self-censorship just to survive.”

In Sindh, journalists once faced frequent threats from armed wings of ethno-political parties in urban areas including Karachi and Hyderabad. While these cities appear much calmer now, rural districts, especially in northern Sindh, have become increasingly perilous for journalists. Several journalists have been killed for exposing the interests of powerful local actors, including tribal chieftains, politicians and police officers.

One such journalist, Nasrullah Gadani from Ghotki district, was murdered earlier this year. His family alleged that a local politician orchestrated the killing in retaliation for his reporting on political corruption. His death highlights the threat of violence faced by journalists, particularly those using social media to amplify their voices.

The rise of digital media has introduced new opportunities and challenges for journalism in Pakistan. While social media platforms have given a voice to citizen journalists and those marginalised by traditional media outlets, they have also made journalists more vulnerable. Many citizen journalists, like Gadani and Nazim Jokhio (tortured and murdered allegedly for exposing illegal wildlife hunting) lack formal training and the institutional protection that established media houses can, at times, provide. The absence of professional standards and safety protocols makes them easy targets for powerful actors offended by their reporting.

Beyond direct threats, self-censorship remains one of the most pervasive challenges facing Pakistani journalism today. Over the years, the list of “off-limit” topics has steadily expanded. Some media houses once cautioned their workers against offending the security forces and intelligence agencies.

Over time the list has expanded to include issues related to “friendly” foreign nations, military operations in insurgency-hit areas and some social movements. Reporting on religious minorities and writing on issues related to blasphemy laws and allegations has also become increasingly perilous.

From my own experience and the stories shared by fellow journalists, it is evident that the threats we encounter in conflict zones are not merely physical; they are psychological as well. The fear of being targeted by armed groups or powerful local actors is a constant. I know several journalists who find themselves caught in the crossfire between militants and law enforcement forces in these volatile regions. The ever-present threat of “unidentified gunmen” has compelled many to adapt our reporting methods, relying more on trusted local sources instead of travelling directly to conflict areas. However, even such approaches do not entirely eliminate the risks.

Pakistan’s media industry also faces severe financial instability, leaving journalists highly vulnerable. Some media houses, especially in urban centres, frequently delay or withhold salaries, forcing reporters to fend for themselves. In conflict zones, many journalists work without pay, risking their lives for little recognition. Some of them take up side jobs or yield to the pressure of local powerbrokers, trading editorial integrity for financial security or protection.

“The economic insecurity forces many journalists into self-censorship to avoid powerful enemies,” says a journalist leader in Karachi. Many reporters I have met in conflict zones work without formal salaries, risking their lives daily in the hope of better opportunities, despite the constant fear of becoming a target. This uncertainty, combined with the knowledge that their sacrifice may never be acknowledged, makes their work all the more heartbreaking.

The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists serves as a vital reminder of the dangers that journalists face globally, especially in conflict-ridden regions. Despite these overwhelming risks, countless journalists in Pakistan remain committed to their vital work—informing the public; covering political and security unrest; and exposing corruption, human rights abuse and social injustice.

The future of journalism in the country hangs in the balance. Threats against reporters are escalating and the space for independent reporting is rapidly diminishing. Yet, the need for fearless journalism has never been greater. The relentless pressure to balance truth-telling with personal safety often forces journalists into impossible situations, where self-censorship becomes a necessary means of survival.

The writer is an independent journalist and researcher. He can be reached at zeea.rehman@gmail.com