Case Update Status

Status remained the same; all are still restricted.

Summary of Case

In 2025, sports reporters, including Sanaullah from Pak.tv.TV, Khwaja Qadir from Samaa, Ashar butt, Arslan Javed, Shoaib Jutt, and three others were banned and restricted from reporting and covering cricket events by the PCB for their critical views on PCB working, and interviews with the cricketers, having open and bold opinions about the PCB. Risala Today reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to ban sports journalists Sana Ullah Khan and Khawaja Qadir. The report says that Sana Ullah Khan, in a vlog, stated that journalists deserve to work without fear and retribution, saying, "It is impossible if someone is thinking that I can be silenced. I am not ready to sit silent on injustice." According to the report, Khan also asked PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to focus on fixing the PCB's internal affairs rather than targeting journalists. Notably, a delegation of the Sports Journalists Association of Lahore (SJAL) recently met with Naqvi, who assured them that he had instructed PCB Media Advisor Aamir Mir to facilitate journalists and not create hurdles for them. Samaa TV sports reporter Khwaja Qadir from Lahore shared his side of the story regarding his ban from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) events. According to Qadir, the controversy began three months ago during the Pakistan Cricket League (PCL) when he interviewed players and discussed the appointment of credible coaches, specifically naming Sumair Ahmed Saeed and Dr. Rafia Haider. The PCB's media department criticized his reporting, labeling it as negative against the board. Qadir claimed that the issue wasn't with PCB Chairperson Mohsin Naqvi, but rather with Media Advisor Amir Mir and Director Raza Rashid, who took his interview personally. They allegedly created hurdles for Qadir, removing him from the PCB's official WhatsApp group and attributing the decision to Naqvi on May 22. However, Qadir met with Naqvi two weeks prior, who assured him that no such decision had been made and promised to restore him to the team. Despite this assurance, Qadir's restoration was delayed due to requests for office approval, which Qadir believes is unnecessary since his removal wasn't official. Qadir also mentioned that fellow journalist Sanaullah was banned after interviewing cricketer Mohammad Hafeez, who criticized the PCB. Khwaja Qadir requested that the matter not be discussed with his organization, Samaa TV, as he fears it might jeopardize his job. Despite the issues with the PCB's media department, Qadir has a positive relationship with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who has been cooperative with him. Qadir wants to maintain this rapport and avoid any potential repercussions on his employment. Speaking to PPF, Paktv.TV Editor & reporter Sanaullah from Lahore shared his concerns about the recent restrictions imposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board. He believes the PCB's decision to ban several sports reporters, including himself, stems from critical reporting about PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi's alleged fund corruption and having salaries from more than one position in different sectors. Sana said that, after a report highlighting Naqvi's alleged misconduct was published, the PCB restricted several journalists from covering cricket events. Sanaullah's own troubles began after he created a vlog supporting the banned journalists and did a podcast with Cricketer Muhammad Hafeez, criticizing the PCB's working. Consequently, he was restricted from reporting and even denied accreditation for the Pak-UAE match by the UAE Cricket Board, citing a ban from Pakistan. Many journalists are now self-censoring due to fear of job loss, and the Sports Journalists Association Lahore has remained silent, with its president reluctant to risk his job at 57, Sana added. Editor of Pak.tv. TV Sanaullah said that he's been a sports journalist for nearly 16 years. He expressed surprise at facing obstacles in his career, given that sports reporting typically doesn't involve politics. However, he believes the current issues stem from PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi's political background and dual role as the Interior Minister of Punjab. Sana also pointed out that Naqvi's PRO, Rafi, has a political history as a former DGPR, as well. In a recent interview with Sanaullah, former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez strongly criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), questioning its player management policies and vision for the national team. Speaking on the topic of team selection and performance consistency, Hafeez argued that the PCB had failed to properly utilize senior players while also mishandling the transition to younger talent. Hafeez stressed that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, once considered the backbone of the team, could no longer be called Pakistan’s “key players.” He pointed out that in the past two years, it was youngsters such as Salman Ali Agha, Saim Ayub, and Hasan Nawaz who had carried the side with decisive performances. Criticizing the PCB, Hafeez remarked that poor planning, inconsistent selection policies, and favoritism had hurt Pakistan cricket. He noted that senior players were either overprotected or sidelined without a clear strategy, while deserving youngsters often had to struggle for recognition. Shoaib Jatt, a freelancer, member of Karachi Press Club, previously worked for SAMAA TV & ARY NEWS, as sports anchor and special correspondent with 15 years of mainstream media experience. Shoaib Jutt claimed that the Pakistan Cricket Board is fabricating a narrative of oppression by imposing undeclared bans on journalists who speak the truth. Jutt alleged that he has been subjected to constant harassment and death threats for his critical reporting, forcing him to leave Pakistan for his safety, with his family also receiving serious threats. According to Jatt, the PCB has a history of restricting him, starting with an undeclared ban during Ramiz Raja's tenure that stopped his journalistic activities and barred him from stadiums. Under the current PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, Jutt and many other journalists were suddenly removed from the PCB news group and faced unannounced bans. Jutt believes the PCB avoids official announcements of these bans, fearing legal action, and asserts that his "crime" is speaking the truth in an era where Pakistani sports journalists face restrictions on free speech. Arslan Javed, a freelance sports journalist from Lahore, also spoke to PPF, claiming that he was among the first to be removed from PCB groups, followed by others who faced similar restrictions, including revoked media accreditation. He alleged that the current PCB Director of Media, Amir Mir, who previously served as Punjab's interim Information Minister under Mohsin Naqvi's chief ministership, is behind these decisions. According to Javed, Mir doesn't tolerate criticism towards the PCB or its chairman, dealing with the board like he handled his ministry. Javed cited cases of restricted journalists, including Khwaja Qadir, who was banned after criticizing the bureaucracy working under the chairman, and Sana Ullah, who faced restrictions allegedly due to a tough question during a press conference. Javed believes his own open and bold criticism of the PCB is the reason behind the board's actions against him, with the chairman's dual role as Federal Interior Minister seemingly intimidating many. The Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ) strongly condemned the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to ban senior sports reporters Sanaullah and Qadir Khawaja from media coverage. PUJ President Naeem Hanif and General Secretary Qamar-uz-Zaman Bhatti demanded that PCB Chairman Syed Mohsin Naqvi immediately lift the ban, calling it a serious attack on press freedom. According to the PUJ, the ban was imposed due to the reporters' critical questions and analysis. The union argued that the PCB should tolerate scrutiny and criticism from journalists rather than restricting their coverage. Bhatti noted that the PCB chairman, being a journalist himself, should understand the importance of press freedom and the negative impact of such restrictions on Pakistan's global reputation, which has already dropped to 158th position in terms of press freedom. The PUJ also pointed out that the PCB had previously lifted bans on other journalists, such as Asher Butt and Muzammil, and should similarly lift the ban on Sanaullah and Qadir Khawaja. Copy is attached. Speaking to PPF Shahid Nadeem, President of the Punjab Union of Journalists (Group B), expressed solidarity with banned journalists Sana Ullah Khan and Khawaja Qadir, stating that although he was not fully aware of the circumstances surrounding the ban, he stood in support of his fellow journalists. The Lahore Press Club strongly condemned the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to ban eight senior sports reporters, including Sanaullah Khan and Khawaja Qadir, from Lahore. According to Lahore Press Club President Muhammad Arshad Ansari, these bans are a major restriction on freedom of expression and freedom of the press, and are being taken on the instructions of PCB Media Advisor Aamir Mir. The club's governing body, comprising President Arshad Ansari, Senior Vice President Afzal Talib, Vice President Saima Nawaz, General Secretary Zahid Abid, Joint Secretary Imran Sheikh, Finance Secretary Salik Nawaz, and other members, expressed strong opposition to the bans. They believe that banning journalists for reporting facts about the PCB is entirely inappropriate. The Lahore Press Club vowed to raise its voice in support of its journalist colleagues and bring the PCB's actions to light. President Arshad Ansari stated that the club will not tolerate such authoritarian measures and hopes that the PCB administration will withdraw its decision and allow impartial reporting by the media. Copy is attached.

Category of Incident

Censorship

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: N/A

ICCS Group: N/A

ICCS Class: N/A

ICCS Crime: N/A

Reported By

Risala Today

Date of incident

22

Month

May

Year

2025

Name of affected person

Khwaja Qadir

Other affected persons

Sanaullah, Ashar butt, Arslan Javed, Shoaib Jutt, and three others

Name of affected organization

Samaa

Other affected organizations

Paktv.TV

Action by

Pakistan Cricket Board- PCB

City

Islamabad

Province

Capital Territory

Designation

Sports Reporter

Professional category

Journalist

Age of victim

N/A

Marital Status

Compensation Details

Amount of compensation announced by government: No compensation was announced

Date of compensation announcement by government: No compensation was announced

Date of compensation paid by government: No compensation was announced

Amount of compensation announced by others: N/A

Date of compensation announced by others: No compensation was announced

Date compensation paid by others: No compensation was announced

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: No

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: N/A

Court where case was presented: N/A

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

No version was recorded

APNS

No version was recorded

CPNE

No version was recorded

PBA

No version was recorded

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

Javed cited cases of restricted journalists, including Khwaja Qadir, who was banned after criticizing the bureaucracy working under the chairman, and Sana Ullah, who faced restrictions allegedly due to a tough question during a press conference. Javed believes his own open and bold criticism of the PCB is the reason behind the board's actions against him, with the chairman's dual role as Federal Interior Minister seemingly intimidating many. The Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ) strongly condemned the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to ban senior sports reporters Sanaullah and Qadir Khawaja from media coverage. PUJ President Naeem Hanif and General Secretary Qamar-uz-Zaman Bhatti demanded that PCB Chairman Syed Mohsin Naqvi immediately lift the ban, calling it a serious attack on press freedom.

Employer organization

N/A

Press Club Status

Press club 1: The Lahore Press Club strongly condemned the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to ban eight senior sports reporters, including Sanaullah Khan and Khawaja Qadir, from Lahore. According to Lahore Press Club President Muhammad Arshad Ansari, these bans are a major restriction on freedom of expression and freedom of the press, and are being taken on the instructions of PCB Media Advisor Aamir Mir. The club's governing body, comprising President Arshad Ansari, Senior Vice President Afzal Talib, Vice President Saima Nawaz, General Secretary Zahid Abid, Joint Secretary Imran Sheikh, Finance Secretary Salik Nawaz, and other members, expressed strong opposition to the bans. They believe that banning journalists for reporting facts about the PCB is entirely inappropriate. The Lahore Press Club vowed to raise its voice in support of its journalist colleagues and bring the PCB's actions to light. President Arshad Ansari stated that the club will not tolerate such authoritarian measures and hopes that the PCB administration will withdraw its decision and allow impartial reporting by the media. Copy is attached.

Press club 2: The Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ) strongly condemned the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to ban senior sports reporters Sanaullah and Qadir Khawaja from media coverage. PUJ President Naeem Hanif and General Secretary Qamar-uz-Zaman Bhatti demanded that PCB Chairman Syed Mohsin Naqvi immediately lift the ban, calling it a serious attack on press freedom. According to the PUJ, the ban was imposed due to the reporters' critical questions and analysis. The union argued that the PCB should tolerate scrutiny and criticism from journalists rather than restricting their coverage. Bhatti noted that the PCB chairman, being a journalist himself, should understand the importance of press freedom and the negative impact of such restrictions on Pakistan's global reputation, which has already dropped to 158th position in terms of press freedom. The PUJ also pointed out that the PCB had previously lifted bans on other journalists, such as Asher Butt and Muzammil, and should similarly lift the ban on Sanaullah and Qadir Khawaja. Copy is attached. Speaking to PPF Shahid Nadeem, President of the Punjab Union of Journalists (Group B), expressed solidarity with banned journalists Sana Ullah Khan and Khawaja Qadir, stating that although he was not fully aware of the circumstances surrounding the ban, he stood in support of his fellow journalists.

Press club 3: No version was recorded