Web Desk: A viral social media video has alleged that a newly formed press organisation involving journalist Hamid Mir, a female journalist and politician Farhatullah Babar is backed by foreign funding.
The video, circulating on social media platform X, questions why a new organisation was formed despite the presence of established press clubs and journalists’ unions across Pakistan. It alleges that the new platform was created after existing media bodies declined to support certain anti state campaigns.
The video refers to a leaked letter purportedly sent from the London headquarters of Britain’s MI6 intelligence agency to an individual identified as Jacob in Islamabad.
According to the video’s claims, the letter describes established Pakistani press clubs and a majority of journalists as supportive of national security interests. It allegedly outlines plans to bypass existing organisations and establish a new pressure group called the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression.
The video also alleges that the proposed organisation would receive funding through offshore channels to operate a network in Islamabad.
It claims that payments would be made in three instalments totalling 7.62 million pounds, equivalent to approximately 2.75 billion Pakistani rupees.
The video further makes allegations about the professional circumstances of the journalists associated with the initiative.
The allegations have raised questions in the video about the relationship between foreign funding, media organisations and press freedom in Pakistan.
However, the existence of a new press group or its receipt of foreign funding, if established, would not by itself demonstrate improper conduct. Assessing the claims would require verification of the organisation’s registration, funding sources, financial records and stated objectives.
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