The body even voiced its concern over the detention of Rahman.

"The handling of Mr Rahman’s case by the NAB is particularly alarming, as it has come at a time when independent media in Pakistan is under severe political and financial pressure," the IPI said in the letter as quoted by The News International. 

Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman was arrested on Mar 12 by the  National Accountability Bureau  (NAB) in Pakistan in a case concerning a property transaction that dates back 34 years to 1986. 

In its letter, as quoted by The News International, IPI said: "Your excellency, when you became Prime Minister in August 2018, there was a glimmer of hope that independent media would be able to flourish in the country."

"The information minister announced soon after that the government had given the state-run media complete editorial control over content," read the letter.

IPI said the recent developments in the South Asian country showed that press freedom remained under severe threat in Pakistan. 

"In December, protestors laid siege to Dawn’s Islamabad office, followed by similar protests outside the Karachi Press Club and Dawn’s offices in that city. IPI is worried that the continued persecution of the independent media is designed to convey a clear message – that any criticism of the government and the ruling party will have dire consequences for the survival of an independent press in Pakistan," the letter said.

"We urge you to take immediate action to secure the release of Mr Rahman and to ensure that press freedom remains a cornerstone of Pakistan’s democracy," it said.

Meanwhile, protests continued to take place in Pakistan over the arrest of the media icon.

In Peshawar, a protest was held against the detention of MSR in which PML-N Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief Ameer Muqam addressed the protesters, noting that MSR had unparalleled contributions as a journalist for the people and the state of Pakistan, reported Geo News.

"We condemn the arrest. We also call for the immediate release of MSR since we believe his detention is illegal," he said.

In Multan, the employees of the Jang-Geo group held a protest in which former MNA Jamshed Dasti also took part, reported Geo News.