Pakistani Court Jails 7 Journalists for Life Over 'Digital Terrorism'

• Pakistani ATC sentenced seven journalists/commentators (Adil Raja, Wajahat S Khan, Sabir Shakir, Shaheen Sehbai, Moeed Pirzada, Haider Mehdi, Akbar Hussain) to life imprisonment on January 3.
• They were found guilty of 'digital terrorism' and 'waging war against the state' in absentia, targeting critics living in exile.
• The charges stem from May 9, 2023 events, linking online political commentary to terrorism under Anti-Terrorism Act and Pakistan Penal Code.
• Indian intelligence sources suggest this is a calculated move by the military establishment, influenced by General Asim Munir, to silence anti-establishment voices.
• Global rights bodies express urgent concerns over media rights curtailment; experts suggest blacklisting Pakistan's ATC system as a 'kangaroo court'.

Why It Matters: Pakistan's ATC uses 'digital terrorism' charges to silence critics, raising global alarm over press freedom.