Case Update Status

No FIR has been lodged yet.

Summary of Case

On November 2, “Jaaj” Analyst Syed Shah Raza and Host Rafaqat Ullah Razarwal received threats from the Afghan Taliban via messenger call, and a video message on November 18, after they shared an analytical review on their channel “JAAJ” about Afghan militants and the Taliban, aiming to raise awareness among KP citizens. Tribal News Network reported that two Charsadda-based journalists, Rafaqat Ullah and Syed Shah Raza Shah, received death threats and bomb attack warnings from unknown individuals claiming affiliation with a non-state militant group via Facebook Messenger. The threats are linked to their social media talk show discussing Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, terrorism, and Afghan refugee issues. According to the report, the Charsadda Press Club condemned the threats, with President Sabz Ali Khan Tareen expressing dissatisfaction over the police response, stating the complaint hasn't been converted into an FIR despite discussions with the DPO. Police advised the journalists to restrict movement and take safety precautions. Nevertheless, the journalists insist that they will continue factual reporting, undeterred by threats. JAAJ host Rafaqat spoke to PPF, detailing that they have been running a YouTube channel named “Jaaj” and for the past 4-5 months their focus was on Afghan-Pakistan relations and issues related to the Taliban. They also covered recent bomb blasts in Islamabad and Peshawar, analyzing facts and figures in Pashto language, targeting local audiences, particularly in KP and border areas. Rafaqat said that the content was shared on his YouTube channel and Facebook, hosting the show himself, while Raza Shah provides analysis in Pashto. The contents were based on facts, history, and online information, without personal opinions. Recently, they received negative comments and threats from some IDs, including a call on November 2 via Facebook Messenger from individuals claiming to be affiliated with the Taliban. They demanded them to stop criticizing the Taliban and militancy, threatening to kill him if he doesn't comply. A video message was also sent, showing armed, masked men reiterating the threats. After going public, press clubs and establishments took notice, and meetings were held with CCD also. Efforts were made to register an FIR, but it hasn't been done yet. The press club and some committees have issued statements, but no action has been taken so far. Senior journalist Syed Shah Raza told PPF that he's been working since 1988 and is currently associated with a radio channel, FM Umeed. He does a nightly program and had analyzed Pak-Afghan issues and Taliban terrorism on “JAAJ” 4-5 months ago, which presented facts and figures, highlighting issues of Taliban and establishment actions. He didn't share personal opinions or name anyone, said Shah. They received threats on messenger of the “Jaaj” official Facebook page with a video message from masked men claiming to be Taliban supporters, demanding they remove content against Taliban and mend their ways to not further share such content. Press clubs and institutions took up the case, but an FIR hasn't been registered. Calls came from KPK, and the ID is being run from Pakistan, but police haven't identified the person. The press club and establishment are trying to support them, providing security and not asking them to remove videos. Raza says it's in Allah's hands now, and they pray for better outcomes. The YouTube channel "Jaaj" has been sharing in-depth analyses on various critical issues, including Pak-Afghan relations, the Taliban, and terrorism, primarily in Pashto. Some of the topics covered include Pakistan's new security strategy, Afghan refugee policy, the Bannu attack, Saudi-mediated talks, the Peshawar FC HQ attack, and security policy implications. The channel has also discussed the Taliban's warnings, Pakistan's security risks, the Afghan trade ban's impact on Pakistani traders, and the Islamabad accident. Additionally, the channel has explored the Pakistan-Afghanistan standoff, the TTP's activities, trade freeze, and PTI's political U-turn. Other topics include the challenges faced by Afghan refugees, the threat of terrorism in Pakistan, and potential state responses. These analyses provide insights into the complex security landscape and regional dynamics. On Nov 18, Jaaj team received a threatening voice message on their official Facebook messenger from two IDs, "Wazeeristani" and "Habibullah". The message warned that "you bark like a dog and wherever you are in Charsadda, we will find you... your days are numbered... wherever you are, on whatever television channel you are on, we will target you". The analysis done by Shah, shared on "Jaaj" 2 months ago, discusses a report about Pakistan's involvement in Afghanistan. It examines proscribed groups in Afghanistan, their activities, and how they've received demonstrative and financial support from Pakistan, specifically in the KP region, allegedly from certain suspicious groups. Briefed by Kamran Shah. Shah further commented that the issue has been ongoing for a long time. Rafaqat Ullah and Shah Raza made efforts to raise awareness among locals by sharing fact-based analyses. However, he noted that the Taliban and Afghan groups are resistant to change and tend to react negatively, often responding with violence. Speaking to PPF, Sbz Ali, President of Charsadda Press Club, condemned the threats received by “JAAJ” and demanded protection for journalists in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He emphasized that freedom of expression should be ensured. Ali criticized Charsadda Police's handling of the issue, stating they haven't registered a formal FIR despite meetings with the DPO, who expressed ignorance and remained silent when details were shared. Ali recalled the DPO withdrew Press Club security after a press conference, but reinstated it after protests. He condemned the DPO's attitude towards journalists' security, saying they don't expect cooperation from Charsadda police.

Category of Incident

Threat

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: 0201- Assault and threats

ICCS Group: 02012-Threat

ICCS Class: 020121-Serious threat

ICCS Crime: Threat

Reported By

Tribal News Network

Date of incident

2

Month

November

Year

2025

Name of affected person

Rafaqatullah Razarwal

Other affected persons

Syed Shah Raza

Name of affected organization

Jaaj

Other affected organizations

TNN, Freedom Network and Radio Umeed

Action by

Afghan Taliban Militants

City

Charsadda

Province

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Designation

Host and Analyst

Professional category

Journalists

Age of victim

N/K

Marital Status

Compensation Details

Amount of compensation announced by government: No compensation was announced

Date of compensation announcement by government: N/A

Date of compensation paid by government: N/A

Amount of compensation announced by others: N/A

Date of compensation announced by others: N/A

Date compensation paid by others: N/A

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: No

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: No

Court where case was presented: Case was not initiated before any court

Name of prosecuting lawyer: N/A

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: N/A

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

N/A

APNS

N/A

CPNE

N/A

PBA

N/A

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

N/A

Employer organization

N/A

Press Club Status

Press club 1: Speaking to PPF, Sbz Ali, President of Charsadda Press Club, condemned the threats received by “JAAJ” and demanded protection for journalists in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He emphasized that freedom of expression should be ensured. Ali criticized Charsadda Police's handling of the issue, stating they haven't registered a formal FIR despite meetings with the DPO, who expressed ignorance and remained silent when details were shared. Ali recalled the DPO withdrew Press Club security after a press conference, but reinstated it after protests. He condemned the DPO's attitude towards journalists' security, saying they don't expect cooperation from Charsadda police.

Press club 2: N/A

Press club 3: N/A