Workers of nationalist party ransack office; harass staff members of FM radio station | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Workers of nationalist party ransack office; harass staff members of FM radio station

On March 19, 2011, eight armed men belonging to Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party (STPP), a nationalist political party ransacked the office and harassed staff members of Indus FM 100.20in the city of Tando Muhammad Khan in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province.

Muhammad Wasi Qureshi, Manager, Indus FM 100.20 Tando Muhammad Khan, told Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) that he and other staff members including News in charge Ansar Khan, Engineer Aslam Samo and Technician Ali Akbar were on duty when eight armed men forcibly entered in the office at 10:30p.m.They introduced themselves as STPP workers and demanded free broadcast of advertisements of their party in connection with its annual foundation day to be observed on March 21. They also demanded that FM radio should broadcast maximum news of STPP and avoid air any news of other political parties including Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Awami National Party (ANP) and Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM).

Qureshi said when he and other staff members regretted their inability to accept these demands the armed men smashed the equipment, radio transmitter, voice console and two computers that resulted in the suspension of radio transmission. When staff members tried to stop them the attackers threatened and used abusive language.

Qureshi said they have informed the local police about the identity of three persons they were able to identify.

Muzaffar Rind, General Secretary of Tando Muhammad Khan Press Club told PPF that journalists held emergency meeting in press club and demanded protection for journalists and media institutions and action against the culprits.

Meanwhile on March 21, 2011 Dr Qadir Magsi, Chairman, STPP,took serious notice of party workers and offered apology to staff members of Indus FM radio.

Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Date:3/21/2011