ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram Sunday claimed that with each passing day, dissent is being stifled under a hybrid regime.
In a statement issued here, he alleged, “Democratic norms are being eroded, dissent is being stifled, and institutions are being reduced to mere formality. This is not governance, this is control. And, the most serious victim of this environment is the free media.”
He said his party strongly condemns the continued muzzling of journalists and media houses, as the pressure is no longer hidden and it is systematic.
“Independent voices are being pushed out, not through open bans, but through quiet, calculated economic strangulation. The recent account of Abbas Nasir is a stark reminder of what is at stake. For years, Dawn stood as a symbol of editorial independence, where writers were allowed to speak freely and editors absorbed the pressure,” he noted.
Waqas Akram continued that today, that independence is being punished; government advertisements have been withheld, and private advertisers are being discouraged — even pressured — from supporting independent platforms. This is nothing less than economic censorship.
He maintained that when media is silenced, then truth is the first casualty. He argued that the PTI stands firmly with journalists and media institutions resisting this pressure, as a country cannot claim to be democratic while it suppresses its own voice.
Meanwhile, the PTI has extended heartfelt Easter greetings to the Christian community across Pakistan and around the world. “Easter is a powerful symbol of hope, sacrifice, and renewal. It reminds us of the values of patience, faith, and resilience — values that are deeply needed in today’s Pakistan,” Waqas Akram said.
At a time when the country faces growing challenges, he stated that it is more important than ever to uphold the principles of unity, tolerance, and equal rights for all citizens, regardless of faith or background.
