APNS flays attack on press freedom
KARACHI: The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) has strongly deplored the “arbitrary ban” on government advertisements of Federal as well as provincial governments to Nawa-i-Waqt Group of publications and termed it “contravention of freedom of press as enshrined in Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan”.
Secretary General APNS Muhammad Aslam Kazi in a statement on Wednesday said the recent action against this group indicates the ‘worsening environment’ for freedom of press in Pakistan. It is becoming exceedingly difficult for the governments to live with a free and independent Press in Pakistan.
“Of late, the present military-cum-civil administration has become increasingly hostile towards any criticism whatsoever in the press. This hostility has manifested itself by various acts against press and pressmen in the country.”
The APNS flayed the action taken by government wherein release of government advertisements to Nawa-i-Waqt and The Nation has been stopped to force the publications to obey “dictates of the government and amend their editorial policies”. The APNS is of the opinion that such an action is entirely uncalled-for and amounts to contravention of freedom of press.
“It is strange that on one hand, present government has repeatedly ensured that press in Pakistan is free and government is prepared to tolerate any
criticism by press, on the other, Islamabad authorities have reacted sharply on editorial contents which reminds practices adopted by the past dictatorial regimes.
The action negates tall claims of the government and its various assurances given at national and international platforms.”
The APNS secretary general urged the federal government and government of Punjab to immediately withdraw the ban and ensure that freedom of press will be respected in letter and spirit.
Source: The News
Date:3/4/2004
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