Ahmad Noorani (Urdu: احمد نورانی; born 1981) is a Pakistani-born investigative journalist based in the United States.[1] He is the co-founder of Fact Focus.[2][3] He formerly worked at The News International in Islamabad from 2007 to 2019, where he reported on issues such as alleged tax evasion by the family of Imran Khan, government corruption, real estate scandals, and other sensitive topics.[4][5]
Ahmad Noorani | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1981 (age 42–43) Pakistan |
| Occupation | Investigative journalist |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Organization | Fact Focus |
| Known for | Founding Fact Focus |
| Notable work | Report on assets of Lt. General Asim Bajwa's family, releasing an audio clip attributed to former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar |
Early life and education
editNoorani was born in 1981 in Pakistan.[4] He attended Columbia University, where he graduated with a master's degree in business journalism in 2023.[6]
Career
editNoorani began his career at The News International in 2007.[7] Noorani has faced threats and harassment during his work, including physical assaults by unidentified individuals demanding that he halt coverage of the military.[4]
In October 2017, Noorani was attacked near the Zero Point in Islamabad, armed men on motorcycles forcibly stopped his vehicle and then pulled him out of the vehicle and tortured him.[8][9] Noorani was hospitalized after losing consciousness from the attack.[4]
Following ongoing threats, including a threatening call from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and public condemnation by the government, Noorani was dismissed from his position at The News International.[4]
Fact Focus
editAfter relocating abroad, Noorani founded Fact Focus in 2020, an online platform for data-driven investigative journalism.[4] Operating from exile, Noorani manages a small team of seven contributors, primarily consisting of journalists remaining in Pakistan who also face challenges from authorities.[4] Fact Focus is funded through subscriptions, donations, and volunteer contributions from its members.[4] The platform has published investigations on topics such as military-run businesses, retirement plans of military officials, and the financial disclosures of politicians.[4]
In August 2020, Noorani issued a report on the assets of Asim Bajwa's family.[10]
In November 2021, Noorani uploaded an audio clip attributed to a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Saqib Nisar, in which he was talking with other unknown people about putting pressure on the sentences of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz.[11][12]
Personal life
editNoorani is married to Umbreen Fatima. In November 2021, his wife's car was attacked by an unidentified assailant who escaped near her home in Lahore, threatening to kill her.[13][14]
References
edit- ^ "Pakistani Journalist Faces Death Threats After Exposing General's Wealth". www.occrp.org.
- ^ "Alfred Friendly Press Partners".
- ^ "Pakistani journalists receive death threats after reporting called 'fake news' in TV program". September 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Orengo, Mercy Tonnia (April 17, 2023). "Ambivalence in Exile". Columbia Journalism Review.
- ^ "At-risk journalist determined to resume watchdog reporting in Pakistan".
- ^ "CJS Election Reporting Around The Globe". November 14, 2024.
- ^ "اندازہ تھا کہ اس رپورٹ پر شدید ردِ عمل آئے گا: احمد نورانی". 28 August 2020.
- ^ "Journalist Ahmad Noorani attacked in Islamabad".
- ^ "Outspoken Pakistani Journalist Ahmad Noorani Attacked". NDTV.com.
- ^ "Bajwa family business empire grew in four countries in sync with Asim Bajwa's rise in military". Fact Focus. August 27, 2020.
- ^ "Saqib Nisar's audio file: 'US firm confident of tape's integrity'". www.thenews.com.pk.
- ^ "Saqib Nisar CJ ordered Nawaz jailed as "institutions" wanted Imran in power". Fact Focus. November 21, 2021.
- ^ "Wife of journalist Ahmad Noorani attacked in Lahore". 25 November 2021.
- ^ "Journalist Ahmad Noorani's wife attacked in Lahore". The Express Tribune. November 25, 2021.