Women Press Freedom is alarmed by the incessant trolling and abuse being hurled at journalists by political parties in Pakistan and their supporters following the country’s 10th general elections on February 8.

CFWIJ and WPF welcomes a Pakistani trial court’s acquittal of Tanzeela Mazhar in a criminal defamation case which had been dragging for the last seven years.

The court refused to accommodate the medical concerns that Tenzeela Mazhar is facing. Tanzeela is currently pregnant and nursing a fractured foot. Upon request to not appear in one of her hearings due to its proximity with when her child is due, the judge told Tenzeela that he would issue her arrest warrant if he found her absent. Tenzeela is currently facing defamation charges in response to a harassment claim she filed against the Managing Director of Pakistan Television (PTV).

Several women journalists face gendered attacks and threats on Twitter after criticizing Prime Minister Imran Khan for his remarks on the rising rates of sexual violence in the country. In a recent interview with an international media outlet, Khan reasserted his misogynistic comments regarding rape in the country, linking the crime to the attire of the survivor.

For Pakistani journalist and CFWIJ member, Tanzeela Mazhar, seeking justice has become an uphill battle. For the past three years, she has been facing a lawsuit for criminal defamation at the hands of her harasser.