Rabwah Times

Rabwah Times
TypeNewspaper
EditorEhsan Rehan
FoundedJuly 17, 2006 (2006-07-17)
LanguageEnglish, Urdu, Arabic
HeadquartersLahore, Pakistan
CountryPakistan
ISSN2415-5616
WebsiteRabwah Times

Rabwah Times (Urdu: ربوہ ٹائمز) (ISSN No. 2415-5616) is an independent digital media publication which was founded in 2006[1] by Ehsan Rehan.[2] The publication became the first independent and secular publication for the town of Rabwah, Punjab, Pakistan. The publication started off with a special focus on Minorities in Pakistan, It does not endorse or promote any particular religion, creed beliefs, or non-beliefs. The site offers news, blogs, original content and local news.

History

Rabwah Times was launched on 17 July 2006, as a news portal for the town of Rabwah. The portal later turned into the town's first digital media publication. The publication focuses on Pakistan's minorities and covers unreported religious freedom and human rights violations.[2][3]

Reporting

Reports by Rabwah Times have been used by leading International rights organizations and Governments which include U.S. Justice Department, UK Home Office, Amnesty International,[4] Australian Government,[5] Canadian Government,[6] USCIRF[7] & APC.[8]

In September 2014, the publication reported on a hate conference to be held in Pakistan.[9]

In July 2015 Rabwah Times reported how Saudi Arabia had used its influence in Indonesia to target the Ahmadi minority in the country.[10]

In December 2016 Rabwah Times reported on a man wanted for terrorism in Pakistan who escaped to Canada. The story was later reported by Canadian newspaper National Post.[11]

In December 2016 Rabwah Times reported on the raid by Pakistan's security forces on the headquarters of the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan.[12]

In February 2017, an exclusive report revealed how a Mosque in the U.S. State of Maryland hosted celebration in honor of Pakistani killer.[13]

Controversy

In April 2016 Pakistan banned Rabwah Times website for its coverage of minority Ahmadis who are considered non-Muslim under the Law.[14]

References

  1. ^ "Ehsan Rehan's Official Website". Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "History of Rabwah Times". Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  3. ^ "Pakistan: Situation of Ahmadis, including treatment by society and authorities; legal status and rights with regards to political participation, education, and employment (2013-January 2016)". Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa / European Country of Origin Report. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  4. ^ "Report: "As good as dead": The impact of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan" (PDF). Amnesty International. 2016. p. 45. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 12, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  5. ^ 1011014 [2011] RRTA 250 (4 April 2011), Refugee Review Tribunal (Australia).
  6. ^ "Pakistan: Situation of Ahmadis, including treatment by society and authorities; legal status and rights with regards to political participation, education, and employment (2013-January 2016)". Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. January 13, 2016. Archived from the original on November 18, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  7. ^ "Pakistan: A History of Violence" (PDF). Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  8. ^ Venkiteswaran, Gayathry. "Freedom of assembly and association online in India, Malaysia and Pakistan: Trends, challenges and recommendations" (PDF). Association for Progressive Communications. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 6, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  9. ^ "UK Home Office" (PDF). Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  10. ^ "Wikileaks cables show Saudi Arabia pushed Indonesian government to stop the spread of Ahmadiyah". Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  11. ^ "Canadian government asked to probe whether Toronto-area man involved in Pakistan mosque siege". Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  12. ^ "U.S. Justice Department Report". Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  13. ^ Heather Clark (February 21, 2017). "Maryland Mosque Honors Assassin of Pakistani Governor Who Spoke Against Blasphemy Laws". Pikesville, Md.: Christian News Network. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  14. ^ "Rabwah Times blocked in Pakistan". Retrieved May 31, 2017.