Journalist and managing editor for “NayaDaur Media'', Ailia Zahra endured misogynistic and sexist remarks from infamous Pakistani writer Khalil ur Rehman Qamar. Alia was invited as a panelist in a T.V. show on Saturday, February 20. During the discussion, Mr. Khalil ur Rehman started yelling at the journalist. When he was countered for his tone, the writer put down his mike and left the live show. Reportedly he also labeled Ailia, a RAW agent while leaving the premises. The incident was followed by a vicious online campaign with threats and abuse against the journalist. CFWIJ condemns the writer’s sick behaviour and urges press regulation bodies in the country to take substantial steps to bar him from T.V appearances.

Ailia Zehra, journalist and managing editor of the Naya Daur Media, was targeted with an online smear campaign initiated by the ruling party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its followers. The campaign followed the airing of the interview of former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar with the BBC News and Naya Dour. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) believes these deliberate attacks are aimed to intimidate Ailia for her coverage. We call on the authorities to end their vicious attempts to intimidate the press. Journalists should be able to do their jobs in a free and fair environment. We reiterate that targeting and threatening members of the press is unacceptable.

Naya Daur Media’s Managing Editor Ailia Zehra, following a surge of vicious online attacks which include death threats filed a complaint with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cybercrime Wing on September 19. Naya Daur, a progressive newsroom in Pakistan has been on the receiving end of online harassment since its establishment.