" Pakistan’s leaders may keep asserting that there is no media crackdown in Pakistan or that the country’s press is freer than in the West, but the reality is different. Pakistani journalists not only face threats but are often kidnapped and tortured for expressing views that differ from the government’s narrative," Khan wrote on New Pakistan website.

Referring to the arrest of Mir Shakilur Rehman, editor-in-chief of the Jang group, he said: "The NAB has been widely criticized as being used for political purposes and it’s evident that the charges against Rehman were politically motivated. "

Pakistan, which often accuses India of not upholding freedom of speech, arrested a journalist here for criticising the country's Army on Friday, media reports said.

Pakistani journalist Bilal Farooqi, who is a news editor of The Express Tribune, was taken into custody of the police for criticising the Army on social media.

Farooqi "was arrested by the station investigation officer of defence police from his residence in Karachi’s DHA area on Friday evening," Karachi police chief, Additional Inspector General Ghulam Nabi Memon told Dawn.

The journalist was released on a personal bond on Saturday, Karachi Press Club lawyer Ghulam Shabbir told Dawn.

His release has also been confirmed by Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui.

"Hes (He has) been released and is being taken back to his residence by police," Siddiqui tweeted. (sic)