Detention of Daily Times correspondent
GHALANAI – Officials of the Tribal Union of Journalists (TUJ) in Mohmand Agency condemned on July 19 the arrest of a local journalist.
Addressing a meeting of journalists, TUJ President Shamsul Qamar Shams said the arrest of Mukarram Khan, a Daily Times correspondent, negated the government’s claim that it believed in a free press.
He said that Mr Khan was going to Nawagai Bazaar on July 18 to get information when the tehsildar of Nawagai arrested him at the Darbano check post, even though Mr Khan proved his identity.
Mr Shams said that the journalist was locked up at Nawagai from 8:30am to 4pm. He was later released.
Mr Khan told the meeting that the tehsildar threw his press card on the ground, saying no one would go to Bajaur that day.
The journalist was freed on the intervention of Bajaur MNA Haroonur Rashid.
The TUJ demanded that action be taken against the tehsildar and other Levy officials, otherwise journalists would launch a protest in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
Source: Daily Times
Date:7/20/2004
” 
” 
” 
” 
