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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday vowed his government remains committed to ensuring freedom of press and protection to journalists across the country, his office said in a statement. 

Sharif’s remarks came as the world marks the ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists,’ a United Nations-recognized day observed annually on Nov. 2 each year. 

Pakistan is frequently cited among countries considered dangerous for journalists worldwide. According to a recent annual report by the Freedom Network, a Pakistan-based media rights and civil liberties organization, “violations” against journalists in Pakistan jumped nearly 60 percent over the past year. 

In a message shared by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Sharif paid tribute to journalists who endured hardship while performing their duties and expressed solidarity with families of the ones who had passed away. 

“The Government of Pakistan is firmly committed to safeguarding press freedom and ensuring a safe environment for journalists,” Sharif said. 

“We will take all necessary measures to enable effective investigation of crimes against journalists, ensure justice, and hold perpetrators accountable under the law.

The report by Freedom Network documented at least 142 cases of violations against journalists and media professionals in Pakistan between November 2024 and September 2025, a nearly 60 percent rise from the previous year. 

In the watchdog’s framework, “violations” include physical assaults, legal cases, harassment and censorship against journalists and media workers, covering both physical and non-physical threats to press freedom.

Sharif described acts of violence, intimidation or retaliation against journalists in the course of their professional duties as “attacks on freedom of expression.”

He called on the international community, media organizations and the civil society to play their role in protecting journalists worldwide. 

“A free press is the guarantee of a strong, transparent and democratic Pakistan,” he said. 

The situation for journalists and media workers remains alarming not only in Pakistan but worldwide as well. 

According to the UN, 162 journalists have been killed in the line of duty from 2023-2024 while 85 percent of cases of journalists’ killings since 2006 are still unresolved or abandoned.

According to UN, since 1993, more than 1,700 journalists have been killed for reporting the news and bringing information to the public. In nine out of ten cases the killers go unpunished, according to the UNESCO observatory of killed journalists. 

PESHAWAR: A constable was killed while two others were injured Sunday morning as explosives detonated inside a Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) police station in the northwestern Peshawar city, a police official confirmed. 

Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Dr. Mian Saeed told reporters that a blast was reported early Sunday morning. He said it was later discovered that the blast had occurred in the CTD police station located on Peshawar’s University Road area. 

“Initially, after verification, we can say that some stored explosive material which was present inside the storeroom of the police station has exploded,” Dr. Saeed said. 

“A CTD constable died in the incident and two other officials were injured, while a portion of the building has been damaged,” he said. 

The police official said an initial investigation into the incident revealed the explosion was caused by a short circuit in the building’s storeroom. 

Dr. Saeed said rescue and military officials were present on the site after the blast occurred, adding that a clearance operation was underway. 

KP police ruled out the possibility of a “terrorist attack” in a separate report. 

“Preliminary Assessment: Police sources confirm that this incident does not appear to be a terrorist attack,” the report said. 

The incident takes place as Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province reels from a surge in militant attacks in recent weeks.