Supreme Court orders release of 200 reels of newsprint. FIA, police besiege Javed Press
The Supreme Court of Pakistan on 4 February 1999 ordered the government to release of 200 reels of newsprint from the 1,093 reels of impounded newsprint to the Jang Group of newspapers.
In the contempt of court petition by the Jang Group, a notice was sent to the respondents, Chairman Central Board of Revenue (CBR) to present their point of view. The court was told that if the newsprint was not released Jang Group would not be able to print their newspapers till February 9, the date given to the respondents to file their comments. They also asked the court to appoint a court official to have the order carried out as the previous order dated February 1 releasing all 1, 093 reels, was not carried out by the CBR.
After the Supreme Court ruling the FIA and local policemen cordoned off printing press of the Daily Jan and tried to stop the publication of their newspaper. FIA official said that they were ordered not to allow the newsprint to the press.
The vehicle leaving the press with the copies of the Group’s eveninger ‘Awam’ was stopped by the police and was only allowed to leave when Editor Awam reached the press and argued with the policemen.
At night a trailer was parked in front of the main door by the the police and FIA, who checked all cars coming towards the press, harassed the press staff and turned back cars of the group. FIA and the police took away a newspaper truck loaded with 8 reels of newsprint belonging to Jang Group, which was later released on the intervention of Senior District Magistrate (SDM) Dr. Jamali
The editorial and technical staff had to rush to the press several times to argue with the police and FIA men to stop the harassment. Various trade and journalist bodies have urged the Sindh Governor to take notice of the intimidation by FIA
Source: Dawn, Business Recorder, Nation, The News
Date:2/6/1999
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