PM Shehbaz Reaffirms Commitment to Press Freedom and Journalist Safety

**Islamabad (Qudrat Daily)** – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated the government’s firm resolve to safeguard press freedom and ensure a secure environment for journalists.

In his message on the *International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists*, the Prime Minister emphasized that a free, informed, and responsible press is the cornerstone of any democratic society.

He said journalists serve as the voice of truth and enable public access to facts, adding that acts of violence, intimidation, or revenge against them are direct assaults on freedom of expression.

The Prime Minister paid tribute to journalists who have faced hardships in pursuit of truth and expressed solidarity with the families of those who lost their lives while performing their duties.

Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed that the Government of Pakistan is committed to protecting press freedom and creating a safe working environment for media professionals. He vowed to take effective measures to ensure thorough investigation, justice, and legal accountability for crimes committed against journalists.

He also urged the international community, media organizations, and civil society to play their role in promoting freedom of expression and ensuring the safety of journalists, noting that *“a free press is the guarantee of a strong, transparent, and democratic Pakistan.”*

Meanwhile, Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq stated that journalism is a vital pillar of the state and an essential component of democracy. He underscored that eliminating crimes against journalists is crucial for building a just and democratic society. He also condemned atrocities committed against journalists in Gaza, Palestine, and Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting that the *Right of Access to Information Act, 2017* reflects Parliament’s commitment to transparency.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in his message, said that silencing journalists through threats or denial of justice is an attack not only on individuals but on democracy itself. He strongly condemned the repression of journalists by Indian and Israeli occupying forces in Kashmir and Gaza.

Bilawal added that despite facing one of the worst media trials in history, the PPP has always upheld the banner of press freedom.