Not Allowed to Speak’: Imran Khan’s Sister Highlights Journalists’ Ordeal in Pakistan

Pakistan, Nov 28 : Noreen Niazi, sister of jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, has alleged extensive media censorship in Pakistan, claiming that journalists are being targeted, silenced, and intimidated to the point that they cannot speak publicly after their release. In an interview with ANI, she described the situation as a systematic effort by the establishment to suppress independent voices.

“Censorship in Pakistan is so extreme that they apprehend media people. Shorab Barkat, who used to run a channel, has been picked up. Earlier, they picked up journalist Agha Sheikh Sarwar. They oppress them so much that when they are let out, they’re not even allowed to speak,” Niazi said.

Journalists ‘forced into exile’

Niazi claimed that prominent journalists are living abroad because returning to Pakistan is no longer an option. According to her, authorities have blocked their passports, frozen their accounts, and confiscated their properties, leaving them unable to work or travel freely.

“Major popular names in Pakistan’s media are currently outside the country. They’ve fled and can’t return. Their accounts in Pakistan are blocked, their properties have been confiscated, and their passports have been blocked. Those who are still here are courageous,” she said.

Drawing parallels with authoritarian regimes, Niazi said, “We used to hear and read about Hitler. Just like Hitler used to lock people in basements, the same thing is happening in Pakistan.”

Criticism of Shehbaz Sharif government

Niazi, one of Khan’s three sisters, accused the current government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of lacking public legitimacy. She described it as an “extremely unpopular” and “weak” administration that came to power through “rigged elections.”

“They have no public support. Imran Khan has the public’s support. People at every level are standing with him. These people lost all the elections. Then they rigged all the elections. They made a government of all defeated people. This is why this government is weak and thus oppresses people,” she said.

No hope from international community

When asked about global reactions to Imran Khan’s imprisonment and broader rights concerns, Niazi said she has “no expectations” from the international community. She claimed Western nations were aware of human rights violations and electoral fraud in Pakistan but continued to back the government for their own interests.

“Countries like England and the USA are supporting the Pakistan government in this. They released their own reports claiming the entire election was a fraud. They know everything, yet they will not do anything,” she said.

Niazi added that her only hope lies with the people of Pakistan:
“We have no hope from them (foreign governments), but from people within the country.”