IFJ condemns attacks on Pakistani press
BRUSSELS, FEBRUARY 19: The International Federation of journalists, the world’s largest press organisation, has voiced growing concern at Pakistani government attempts to muzzle press freedom.
In a letter sent to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the Brussels-based IFJ calls for an end to the government’s anti-press policies, saying it is disturbed by “attacks against journalists in Pakistan.”
The appeal comes at a time when Pakistan’s reputation as one of a limited number of developing nations with an independent and free media has taken a severe battering in Europe.
In addition to the attacks on journalists, Pakistan-watchers in Europe have also voiced unease at the rising role of the Pakistani military and the growing clout of extremist Islamic groups in the country. The focus in recent reports has been on Pakistan’s continuing mistreatment of women and minorities.
As a result, observers say that Nawaz Sharif’s government, once widely acclaimed for its pro-free market ways and its determination to fight corruption, risks incurring serious damage to its reputation.
The focus is particularly on recent government action against journalists. “This year alone there have been numerous cases of journalists being attacked, abused, harassed and followed by agents of the state, including officers of the Federal Investigation Agency, the police and Pakistan’s Intelligence Bureau,” the IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said in the letter to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
“The diverse nature and scale of these assaults, which have been carried out by state agents, suggest that officers believe their conduct is acceptable, even desirable,” the IFJ added.
“We consider these incidents to be deliberate attacks on press freedom,,’ White said. “If journalists continue to be attacked and no one is held to account, press freedom will remain threatened in Pakistan.
Source: Dawn
Date:2/20/1999
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