Pakistani Journalist Javeria Siddique Elected as IFJ Asia-Pacific Regional Gender Coordinator for 2026-2029

Islamabad:Report By Muhammad Saleem. Renowned Pakistani journalist, columnist, author, and photographer Javeria Siddique has won the election for the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Gender Council for the term 2026-2029. She will serve as the Regional Gender Coordinator for Asia-Pacific.
Javeria Siddique is a prominent figure in Pakistani media. She currently serves as Vice President of the Islamabad-Rawalpindi Union of Journalists and is a member of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), which is affiliated with the IFJ. Her extensive reporting covers key areas including parliament, defence, aviation, international relations, human rights, political parties, health, environment, climate change, and photojournalism.
She has worked with leading media outlets such as ATV, Turkey Radio and Television Corporation, and Daily Jang. Currently, she writes columns for Roznama Dunya and Independent Urdu. Notably, Javeria is recognized as Pakistan’s first female photographer specializing in space (moon) and aviation photography.
She has been a vocal advocate for justice in the case of her late husband, senior journalist Arshad Sharif (Shaheed Arshad Sharif). Despite facing threats and harassment, she has continued to raise her voice against injustice and has actively campaigned for press freedom and journalists’ safety.
In her new international role, Javeria Siddique will collaborate with IFJ member organizations across the Asia-Pacific region, which includes responsibility for 35 countries. Her focus will be on promoting gender equality, press freedom, and the safety of journalists. She will help develop strategies to protect media professionals and create safer working environments, particularly addressing issues like online harassment and physical threats.
The IFJ is the world’s largest organization of journalists, founded in 1926. It represents over 600,000 journalists from 146 countries and works globally to defend press freedom, journalists’ rights, and high standards of journalism.
This election marks a significant achievement for Pakistani journalism on the global stage, highlighting women’s leadership in regional and international media advocacy.