APNS condemns attack on newspaper office
KARACHI- The All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS) has strongly condemned the reported attack on Daily The Frontier Post by student activists of a political group and urged upon the provincial government of Frontier to immediately take action against the culprits and provide security to newspapers in the province.
Secretary General All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) Kazi Asad Abid, in a press statement stated that he was informed by the administration of the Frontier Post that a group of activists stormed and damaged the office of the publication and hurled threats to the editor.
The ugly incident occurred in a reaction to the editorial published in the Frontier Post. The APNS noted that such acts by different militant groups against newspapers in Frontier province are increasing which is highly alarming.
The attack on the press has grave implications for press freedoms as the incident clearly indicates the growing intolerance in our society where certain political parties and groups are involved in using violence and militant tactics to silent the dissenting voice.
Such incidents are clear violation of press freedom as enshrined in the Article-19 of the constitution of Pakistan. The APNS secretary general stated that the action was also violative of the assurances of Gen Pervez Musharraf that the freedoms of the press and expression would be fully safeguarded by his government.
“It appears that the provincial government has persistently failed to book the culprits engaged in such heinous crimes, he added. He also urged the provincial government of Frontier to take immediate cognisance of the matter and provide appropriate security to the offices and staff of newspapers in the province.
Source: The News
Date:6/8/2002
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