{"id":60945,"date":"2026-03-10T18:41:21","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T18:41:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/?p=60945"},"modified":"2026-03-12T08:18:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:18:20","slug":"gov-of-pakistan-warns-journalists-to-refrain-from-sensational-commentary-on-foreign-policy-action-to-be-taken-on-crossing-red-lines-what-gov-needs-to-do-tazeen-akhtar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/gov-of-pakistan-warns-journalists-to-refrain-from-sensational-commentary-on-foreign-policy-action-to-be-taken-on-crossing-red-lines-what-gov-needs-to-do-tazeen-akhtar\/","title":{"rendered":"Gov of Pakistan Warns Journalists to Refrain from Sensational Commentary on Foreign Policy | Action to be Taken on Crossing &#8221; Red Lines&#8221; | What Gov Needs to Do ? Tazeen Akhtar"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-60949 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Journalists-Media-Warned-Pakistan-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"322\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Journalists-Media-Warned-Pakistan-2.jpg 500w, https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Journalists-Media-Warned-Pakistan-2-300x193.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>Tazeen Akhtar <\/strong><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-59978\" src=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Tazeen_Akhtar-e1711960981298.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"120\" \/>Federal ministers on Tuesday cautioned against \u201csensational\u201d commentary on Pakistan\u2019s foreign policy, warning that action would be taken if \u201cred lines\u201d were crossed. The ministers meant this warning in the background of ongoing escaltions with Afghanistan and in Middle East, Iran and Arab Countries. But they did not mention any media outlet or any anchorperson as to who are harming the international relations of Pakistan.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Addressing a joint press conference, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan\u2019s interests remained paramount and urged social media users and commentators to avoid unnecessary remarks about the country\u2019s external relations.<\/p>\n<p>The honorable ministers did not tell why Iran&#8217;s state news agency IRNA can not be opened in Pakistan? When you state that the state of Pakistan is dealing with both countries , Iran and Saudi Arabia equally, why you have banned IRNA in Pakistan? This is where and when international relations are affected and this has not been done by any journalist.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>&#8220;Journalists&#8221; damaging relations with friend countries&#8221;\u00a0 comes from a government under whose rule a senior judge ruled in his verdict , &#8221; There are 4 declared terrorist states in the world.&#8221; A link to that report is given here.<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"SHbNahFH72\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/judge-majoka-amends-the-verdict-for-4-states-making-his-steno-a-scapgoat-what-is-the-legal-basis-of-such-a-decision-now-by-tazeen-akhtar\/\">Judge Majoka Amends the Verdict for 4 States Making His Steno  a Scapgoat ! What is the Legal Basis of Such a Decision Now &#8211; by Tazeen Akhtar<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;Judge Majoka Amends the Verdict for 4 States Making His Steno  a Scapgoat ! What is the Legal Basis of Such a Decision Now &#8211; by Tazeen Akhtar&#8221; &#8212; Pakistan In the World\" src=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/judge-majoka-amends-the-verdict-for-4-states-making-his-steno-a-scapgoat-what-is-the-legal-basis-of-such-a-decision-now-by-tazeen-akhtar\/embed\/#?secret=L7Kfnp4C4p#?secret=SHbNahFH72\" data-secret=\"SHbNahFH72\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Though later, having been sensitized about the matter or it was a real mistake , whatever, the names of the countries were edited. The countries have friendly relations with Pakistan and the ruling of the judge raised concerns in their respective embassies and governments.<\/p>\n<p>This is the state of high legal officials regarding the foreign policy of Pakistan while the ministers including Law minister are warning the journalists. Highlighting constitutional provisions, the law minister said Article 19 guaranteed freedom of expression but also imposed certain legal restrictions. While reading out clauses from Article 19, he cautioned that people should avoid commentary that could jeopardize national security or harm Pakistan\u2019s relations with friendly countries.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFreedom of expression comes with limitations. Caution must be exercised when discussing religion, national security, and Pakistan\u2019s relations with friendly countries,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Azam Tarar added that while the government had maintained a fair policy, action would be taken if boundaries were crossed. \u201cOnly when the red line is crossed will action be taken,\u201d he said, urging caution in commentary on electronic and social media as the region passes through a difficult phase.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Here question rises that who will draw the boundaries? Government itself? or Courts? Also worth noting here is, during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, the government and military admired the role of Pakistani media community for fighting back the propaganda of Indian channels and thus safegaurding the state in media war. Now the same gov ministers are issuing waringings and threatening arrests and legal actions.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Foreign Office has played a key role during the current situation. For us, Pakistan\u2019s interests come first,\u201d Tarar said, adding that the country maintained close and friendly ties with states in the region.<\/p>\n<p>The ministers, in presser, warned that negative vlogs or commentary about relations between countries merely to gain online views could harm Pakistan\u2019s interests.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCreating sensationalism to gain views is harmful. In the current situation, spreading sensationalism is not a service to the country,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"zI1UbHtu2s\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/controversy-on-pakistani-ministers-participation-in-anti-china-organization-in-usa-meeting-with-pro-taiwan-congressmen-by-tazeen-akhtar\/\">Controversy on Pakistani Minister&#8217;s Participation in Anti-China Organization in USA &#8211; Meeting with Pro Taiwan Congressmen &#8211; by &#8211; Tazeen Akhtar<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;Controversy on Pakistani Minister&#8217;s Participation in Anti-China Organization in USA &#8211; Meeting with Pro Taiwan Congressmen &#8211; by &#8211; Tazeen Akhtar&#8221; &#8212; Pakistan In the World\" src=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/controversy-on-pakistani-ministers-participation-in-anti-china-organization-in-usa-meeting-with-pro-taiwan-congressmen-by-tazeen-akhtar\/embed\/#?secret=jGqzKfJQ4C#?secret=zI1UbHtu2s\" data-secret=\"zI1UbHtu2s\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Yes ! Here , the minisers&#8217; objections can be seen in the sense that many youtubers are doing what the ministers said and they should be dealt case to case rather framing all journalists in the same category.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Tarar added that statements made in Pakistani media were often interpreted abroad as the state\u2019s official stance. \u201cIn other countries, what is said in our media is taken as the policy of the state,\u201d he noted, urging commentators not to base discussions on personal likes, dislikes, or political agendas.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Minister Info did not present a single example to support his comment. Pakistani journalists&#8217; comments can be used and refered to as their own but no foreign media is such naive that could not differentiate between opinion of a journalist and policy of the state. There is no weight in the arguement of Minister Information.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar refered to Pakistan&#8217;s policy on Iran and Middle East and Afghanistan. He mentioned Pakistan&#8217;s contacts with both sides Iran and Arab countries during the ongoing war in Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>He said Pakistan had consistently sought diplomatic solutions and was playing an active role in regional efforts to de-escalate tensions. \u201cPakistan is a responsible nuclear state and has a clear stance on defence and foreign policy,\u201d he said, adding that parliament had also been briefed on the ongoing conflict.<\/p>\n<p>Pakistan\u2019s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad,\u00a0strongly rebuked the Afghan and Indian envoys\u00a0during a United Nations Security Council session on Afghanistan, accusing them of ignoring cross-border militancy targeting Pakistan.<\/p>\n<p>He said Afghan diplomat Naseer Ahmad Faiq was \u201ccut off from ground realities\u201d and criticised him for failing to address attacks from Afghan soil that harmed Pakistani civilians, security forces, and infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The government and its ministers are supposed to see the situation for the journalists as well. It is extremely complex and difficult to analyse what is happening and who is doing what. It is not a matter of fact that even the government and MOFA itself find them in a complicated atmoshpere about who to support and who not? Journalists are working in the same circumstances. Government should seek the cooperation of the journalists rather warning and threatening them. This will prove to be counter productive.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>The government of Pakistan Ministry of Information has appointed dozens of media persons at high packages in various departments including PTV. Gov should utilize their skills to make a narrative that suits in all conditions including when Pakistan enjoys good relations with both sides in a war.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As far as, Red Lines are concerned, the ministers did not mention what are they? Other red lines in the constitution, regarding Islam, State, Military, Judiciary are very well known to the journalists and they always take care of them. It is gov itself that have abandoned the real , careful journalists for the same number of views and likes that the ministers see in the accounts of youtubers and so called social media influencers and prefers them on profashional experienced journalists.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Minister Information should answer these questions. When you talk about the content of the journalists on international relations, you need to see the video made by the Minister of Information under his direct supervision on Afghanis. Also see the reaction on this video.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>GoP needs to see who visited the exiled people of China in America who have set up a gov in exhile of Taiwan? He was some journalist?<\/p>\n<p>Who appeared with a cup of tea in hand when Taliban entered Kabul forcibly and occupied Afghanistan in Aug 2021? Who raised the impression that Pakistan is behind Taliban&#8217;s premature , without implementation of Doha deal take over of Kabul ? Is there any need to detail here how much damage it caused to Pakistan&#8217;s foreign policy? and relations with the states that were on board on Doha Deal?<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"pwkQuU6fGl\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/pakistan-in-the-world-january-2026\/\">Pakistan in the World \u2013 January 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;Pakistan in the World \u2013 January 2026&#8221; &#8212; Pakistan In the World\" src=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/pakistan-in-the-world-january-2026\/embed\/#?secret=I7murrkybg#?secret=pwkQuU6fGl\" data-secret=\"pwkQuU6fGl\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tazeen Akhtar Federal ministers on Tuesday cautioned against \u201csensational\u201d commentary on Pakistan\u2019s foreign policy, warning that action would be taken if \u201cred lines\u201d were crossed. The ministers meant this warning in the background of ongoing escaltions with Afghanistan and in Middle East, Iran and Arab Countries. But they did not mention any media outlet or [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":60949,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[91],"tags":[1851,5027,400,8158,424,5200,472,552,48,127,8157,8156,8159],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60945"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60945"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60945\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":61016,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60945\/revisions\/61016"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/60949"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60945"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60945"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60945"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}