Pakistani media ordered to use 'martyr' instead of 'killed' for fallen troops

Pakistan’s media regulator has formally directed all media platforms to refrain from using the word "Halaak" (killed) for members of the country’s security forces who lose their lives in the line of duty, and instead use the term "Shaheed" (martyr).

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) issued the directive in compliance with an order from the Peshawar High Court, which had earlier instructed authorities to take steps ensuring respectful terminology for martyred security personnel.

PEMRA submitted its compliance report to the court today, confirming that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a notification mandating the use of Shaheed or Shuhada in place of Halaak across all forms of media, including digital platforms.

While the ministry’s instruction was issued in June, PEMRA formally notified all media outlets on July 8. In its reply to the court today, PEMRA stated that the required action had been taken and that all platforms had been informed and directed to ensure compliance with the High Court’s order, including the use of the term “martyr” for fallen troops.

Ban applies across all platforms

The directive applies to newspapers, TV channels, radio stations, magazines, social media platforms, YouTube channels, vloggers, Facebook users, and other online content creators. Media professionals have been instructed to adopt the term Shaheed in headlines, news tickers, commentary, and reporting involving fallen members of the armed forces.

“The PEMRA authority, all the concerned relevant departments, regulators and ministries be directed to immediately refrain prospectively from using the word Halaak in all the concerned newspapers, journals, social media outlets including journalists, YouTubers, vloggers, television newscasters, radio programmers, reporters, Facebook activists, and different social media account holders or in any capacity and anywhere etc,” according to PEMRA notification, a copy of which is available with Nukta.

The move follows a petition filed by Advocate Muhammad Hamdan, who argued that the use of the term Halaak fails to appropriately honor the sacrifices of military personnel. The PHC accepted the argument and directed PEMRA to enforce the change.

Court warns against anti-military content

In its detailed directive, the court also instructed federal and provincial authorities to take strict action against any individual or media outlet involved in spreading what it termed “anti-Pakistan Armed Forces propaganda.” This includes entities operating both within and outside Pakistan.

The court added that anyone acting as a direct or indirect beneficiary of such content should be declared in violation of the Constitution and law.

PEMRA has ordered all satellite TV channels and FM radio licensees to comply with the directive in full, as per the orders of the High Court.