The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) expressed on Tuesday deep concern over cases filed against four women journalists under the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), labelling the move as “harassment” and a “direct attack on press freedom”.
An FIR filed at the FIA Cyber Crime Reporting Centre, Islamabad, names four members of the National Press Club, including Nayyar Ali, Sehrish Qureshi, Maira Imran, and Shakila Jalil. The four women, who are a part of the press club’s governing body, had heard a harassment complaint involving a journalist and her former husband, who is also an NPC member. The committee ruled that both the journalist and her ex-husband were at fault.
In response, the ex-husband, identified as Nasir Khan Khattak, went to the FIA. He accused his former wife of online harassment, defamation and claimed that the four identified NPC members were “involved” in his defamation on social media. The case was, however, registered on February 27, 2025, and has only surfaced now.
The FIR named Salma Shahid as the primary accused. Investigators said she ran a fake Facebook account and posted threatening and defamatory material about the complainant, Khattak. The agency also alleged that derogatory and threatening messages were shared in a WhatsApp group, titled “NPC Women Journalists Caucus,” which has 171 members.
Although the initial allegation focused on Salma Shahid, the FIR held the group’s four administrators responsible too. The FIR is registered under Section 21 of PECA (offences against dignity), and Sections 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation), 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance or common intention), and 109 (punishment of abetment) of the Pakistan Penal Code. The FIA said it has “sufficient incriminating evidence” against the accused women.
PFUJ leaders have, however, criticised the move. They said the FIA registered the case without hearing the journalists first.
“Registering a case against women journalists for addressing a complaint about a woman’s husband is an affront to journalism and basic human rights,” the union said in a press statement released on Tuesday.
One of the journalists, Sehrish Qureshi, working for international media, told Digital Rights Monitor the FIA did not contact them before the FIR was filed. “No, FIA or any other body didn’t contact us at all,” she said. “The FIR was registered in February 2025 and has only now surfaced online. Nobody approached us. That breaks their own protocols.”
Qureshi said the legal angle offered a convenient route to target the committee. She told DRM that under PECA, group admins can be held liable for content shared in groups. That, she said, gives someone legal cover to escalate a grievance into criminal action.
She added that the committee had recommended ending the memberships of both the journalist and her ex-husband after they dragged personal matters into the club. “We were pressured to remove Salma Shahid from the club and the group,” Qureshi said. “We refused because we stand for women’s rights. To avenge that, this FIR was registered against us.”
Qureshi described the case as an act of intimidation. “Obviously, yes, it is intimidation,” she said. “We are elected members of the National Press Club, Islamabad. People voted for us. Now, those in power are using legal cover to scare us. The message is: protect a woman journalist and you could face non-bailable charges.”
She confirmed she plans to fight the FIR in court. “Yes, I plan to pursue this legally,” Qureshi confirmed to DRM. “The group will decide the next steps. Certainly, we want this FIR quashed. After that, we will consider cross-FIRs or defamation suits. If we don’t challenge this, it will set a dangerous precedent for other women journalists.” Digital Rights Monitor tried to contact Salma Shahid for comment, but was unable to reach her.
PFUJ has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the FIR. The union also urged action against officials and the complainant who filed the case. It repeated its long-standing call for the repeal of PECA, which critics say can be misused to curb free expression.
The Union warned that failure to act would spark nationwide protests. Journalists, the union said, will resist any attempt to silence their voices.
