Three British journalists ordered to leave Pakistan
ISLAMABAD (November 11 2007): Pakistan’s government on Saturday ordered three journalists for Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper to leave the country because of its “foul and abusive language” against its leadership.
They have been told to leave within 72 hours, deputy information minister Tariq Azeem told AFP. “They used foul and abusive language against Pakistan and its leadership in an editorial published on November 9,” he said. “They have been ordered to leave within 72 hours.” Contacted in London, the paper said it was not immediately able to comment.
A Telegraph source said that the government had not yet confirmed it would carry out the threat. It followed a leader article in the newspaper commenting on US support for President Pervez Musharraf, a key Washington ally in the “war on terror.”
Musharraf declared a state of emergency a week ago, citing growing Islamic militancy and a meddling judiciary. As well as suspending the constitution, he imposed harsh curbs on the media.
The journalists were named by state television as Islamabad correspondent Isambard Wilkinson and two other reporters. “We are urgently looking into it,” British High Commission spokeswoman Laura Davies told AFP. “We have been urging the lifting of restrictions on media over the past week and firmly believe a strong, free and dynamic media is best for Pakistan.”
Under emergency rule, the media are barred from publishing or broadcasting material that defames Musharraf, the armed forces or the government. The order says there is a maximum punishment of three years in prison or a fine of 10 million rupees (166,700 dollars) for anyone who breaches the code. Many international news channels such as CNN and BBC World have been taken.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:11/11/2007
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