All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) president regrets Peshawar incident
LAHORE- President of All Pakistan Newspapers Society Mir Shakilur Rehman, expressed grave concern over the situation arising out of the publication of a highly objectionable letter in daily The Frontier Post, Peshawar and the incidents which occurred in reaction to the publication.
He said what was published was a piece of irresponsible journalism and has hurt the feelings of all sane people. However, in a statement the management of the newspaper has offered unqualified apology on publication of the blasphemous material, he said. He noted that they called it a conspiracy against the newspaper as well as against the people and government of Pakistan and the whole Ummah.
The management of the newspaper has suspended the persons apparently involved in this act and lodged a complaint with the police. Additionally they have called upon the authorities to conduct a judicial probe into the affair to bring out the truth, he said. They have also issued an advertisement rendering their unqualified apology.
After this statement of the management of the newspaper, what has happened the next day should have been avoided, the president of the APNS said.
Mir Shakilur Rehman called upon the journalists and the publishers to exercise extreme care and responsible attitude and ensure that such incidents should not happen.
No Muslim can ever think of doing such heinous act, he said. The APNS president said the Ulema should now come forward and guide the Ummah about the course of action that should be adopted after the persons alleged involved in such an act have pleaded their innocence, offered an unqualified apology and requested for a judicial inquiry.
He said the authorities should also fulfill their responsibility to ensure the entire situation is handled according to law. Mir Shakilur Rehman said setting the printing press ablaze and act of violence and damaging property is not the correct way to handled such matters. He said by sealing the office and destroying the press, all workers of the newspaper have lost their jobs.
The APNS has always condemned irresponsible journalism but what has happened during the last two days has been too painful in all circumstances, he said.
The APNS president noted that the mishap was the result of some individuals action and cannot be treated as irresponsible attitude of the press in general. He has called for a judicial inquiry by a judge of High Court or Supreme Court so that the real culprits are identified and given exemplary punishment.
Source: The News
Date:1/31/2001
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