Media divided over security threats: FN | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Media divided over security threats: FN

Pakistan Press Foundation

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Afzal Butt strongly condemned the attack on senior journalist and anchorperson Hamid Mir and said that “Hamid Mir and his family have the legal and constitutional right to include names of those they suspect in the First Information Report (FIR).” However, he maintained that PFUJ will not be part of any conspiracy to malign any Pakistani agency.

Former Justice Wajihuddin Ahmed told Business Recorder that under the law, a citizen has the right to register a complaint against those he/she suspects through an FIR, however, if the complaint is lodged maliciously then the affected person can file a suit for defamation over malicious prosecution under criminal law.

Iqbal Khattak, executive Director of Freedom Network (FN), said that probe in the attack on Mir will be the litmus test of justice for the media. ?”What is more worrying is the fact that media owners, working journalists and government ministers are sharply divided on how to tackle the ever increasing security threats Pakistani media is facing,” Khattak said.

Senior journalist Mazhar Abbas pointed out that it is critical to investigate prior to accusing any one or any entity of complicity. Chairperson of Defence of Human Rights Amina Masood Janjua said the missing persons’ case was highlighted by Mir and she and all the families of the missing persons will keep praying for his health, prosperity and long life always.

Business Recorder