PCP terms attack on press against freedom of expression | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

PCP terms attack on press against freedom of expression

Pakistan Press Foundation

ISLAMABAD: Any threat or attack to affect free functioning of press is tantamount to negate freedom of expression and put hurdles in the smooth flow of information.

This was stated in a statement issued here on Wednesday by the Press Council of Pakistan (PCP) in response to second attack by armed persons on Express newspaper office in Karachi within a period of four months.

The Council has already taken suo moto notice on the incident of attack on 17-08-2013 and took up the issue with the Sindh government for taking appropriate steps to apprehend the culprits and intimate progress of the case to the PCP.

Under Article 19(A) of the Constitution of Pakistan all provincial governments are bound to protect the right of freedom of information by taking appropriate steps. Similarly, under sub section 2 of section 8 of PCP ordinance 2002 it is statutory obligation of the council to act as a shield to protect freedom of press or against any sort of interference in the proper functioning of the press, in any manner, or by any person, party or organization.

Taking strong exception to the incident, PCP Chairman, Raja Shafqat Abbasi has condemned attack of the armed terrorists, as such incidents amount to put hindrance in the free functioning of the independent press and dissemination of credible information to the masses. The council regretted continued attacks and threats to media persons/houses and asked the concerned quarters to guarantee their security.

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