=> KARACHI – The Pakistan People’s Party Central Info
KARACHI – The Pakistan People’s Party Central Information Secretary Sherry Rehman on Thursday expressed her concerns over media curbs imposed by the government.
In a press statement the PPP central leader pointed out that with the gunning down of Zubair Ahmed Mujahid, a correspondent of the national local daily newspaper last week, Pakistan earned the dubious distinction of being classified as the third most dangerous country in the world for journalists, after Iraq and Somalia.
She said Zubair Ahrned Mujahid was shot dead in daylight in Mirpurkhas, as he was returning home.
The veteran reporter wrote a weekly column in local Urdu daily called “Crime and Punishment” in which he often pointed the illegal conducts of ‘ the landowners and the police, she said adding that several of his reports were noticed by the courts and have led to the arrests of policemen and landlords and he was the 6th Pakistani journalist to be killed this year.
Pakistan ranks 152nd out of 169 nations in the Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2007, that noted that all authority in the country was concentrated in the army, while the privately-owned TV stations were prevented from working freely, she further said adding that it was also observed that dozens of reporters were beaten and arrested during the post March 9 judicial crisis.
“It is most deplorable that day by day, Pakistan’s position in terms of press freedom is becoming worse,” said Sherry. Rehman said that a country ruled by a regime who treats media freedom as his “gift” to the nation, rather than the constitutional right of the people is not likely to do any better in the World Press Freedom Index.
Rehman condemned the killing of Zubair Ahmed Khan and other journalists who lost their lives this year. She noted the year 2007 had laid bare all claims of the regime regarding its respect for press freedom.
“The regime broke all records of brutality as it unleashed a reign of terror against the citizens and the journalists to cover its own misconduct. Where in the world had you seen media offices being attacked by the police the way Geo office in Islamabad was attacked in March this year; or a bunch of gun-toting goons firing at another media office as we saw on May 12 in Karachi. If this was not enough, the treatment meted out to journalists following November 3 emergency was most disgusting.
They were thrashed and arrested for staging peaceful rallies to demand their right. The regime went even a step further when it blocked the transmission of unfriendly channels.
Rehman said that her Party is committed to the cause of media freedom and shares the vision of all the independent journalists for a free media in the country. “The PPP is very clear in its stance that it will not allow Pakistan to become a dark example of press freedom. The regime has done much to intimidate the journalists, and the media organisations to stop them from disseminating unfavourable content.
“The fact that the media in Pakistan is resilient despite constant threats marks the courage of the journalists and we salute their bravery.
The PPP is committed to ensure that the fundamental right of freedom of information is never allowed to become a pawn in the hands of authoritarian leadership.”
Source: The Nation
Date:11/30/2007
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