ARY anchor Kashif Abbasi faces travel ban

Islamabad – Prominent Pakistani journalist and ARY News anchor Kashif Abbasi has raised questions over his apparent inclusion on a no-fly list, as media restrictions against him continue to mount.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Abbasi said:

“Now that our score in the air is 6–0, I thought it’s time for me to fly too but a question: why am I on the no fly/block list? I had, nor have any intention of leaving my country. With no work, a little travelling would be fun :)”

The tweet, laced with irony and frustration, highlights the growing pressure faced by journalists in Pakistan. Abbasi’s long-running current affairs show “Off The Record” has reportedly been taken off air without explanation, and he has remained absent from the ARY News screen in recent weeks.

While no official notification has confirmed his travel restriction, Abbasi’s own statement implies that authorities have placed him under a travel ban despite no legal grounds or stated charges.

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The move has sparked renewed concern among press freedom advocates, who see this as part of a wider crackdown on dissenting voices in media. Abbasi, a seasoned journalist with over 20 years at ARY News, has been a critical voice in political debates and governance issues.

ban on his program on ARY News, which has gone off-air without any formal clarification from the channel or regulatory authorities. Industry insiders suggest the decision may be linked to Abbasi’s outspoken journalism and critical editorial stance in recent broadcasts, though no official reason has been publicly provided.

Abbasi has been a prominent figure on ARY News for over two decades, anchoring his hard-hitting political talk show “Off The Record,” which has gained a large and loyal following for its fearless debates and probing interviews.

The sudden media blackout and travel ban come at a time when several Pakistani journalists are reportedly under pressure, facing censorship and increasing institutional pushback. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and other media watchdogs have called for transparency and urged authorities to uphold journalists’ right to free expression.

Despite the silence from ARY’s management, Kashif Abbasi’s absence from screens and the reported travel restrictions point to deeper tensions between media professionals and the state — once again highlighting the fragile state of press freedom in the country.

So far, there has been no comment from ARY News management or government officials on the reason behind the ban or program suspension.