Zaid Hamid has, in his petition, sought initiation of a treason trial against several journalists associated with the South Asian Free Media Association, including Khalid Ahmed, Beena Sarwar, Sarmad Manzoor and Imtiaz Alam, besides anchorpersons Nusrat Javed, Hamid Mir, Najam Sethi, Hassan Nisar as well as former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Asma Jehangir. The petitioner has contended that the respondents have been undermining the message of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal, the Two-Nation Theory, ideology of Pakistan and above all the “glory of Islam”, at the behest of India, and thus portend an existential risk to Pakistan’s national security. The petition also sought a ban on their appearance on TV because “these people gave statements against the Two-Nation Theory, the constitution and Quaid-i-Azam”.

Zaid Hamid has also prayed to the court that an explanation be sought from minister for information and broadcasting, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority and director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence over broadcast of such “anti-country” content. The petition was filed by Zaid Hamid two years back on March 27, 2012.

Daily Times

In a statement issued from London, Hussain said, “It is on the record that the banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban has prepared a hit list of journalists and anchor-persons and Hamid Mir’s name tops the list. It was the responsibility of the government to conduct an impartial investigation to expose those responsible for the attack on Hamid Mir, he added.

Few days ago terrorists had attacked a senior journalist Raza Rumi in Lahore, which resulted in his driver’s death. Journalist and anchor-person Iftikhar Ahmed was threatened of dire consequences if he did not stop writing about Taliban and a senior journalist Imtiaz Alam was forced to leave his organization, Hussain said.

The News

While the motive and responsibility for the dastardly assault on Hamid Mir in Karachi is still a matter of speculation, the threat to the freedom of expression in Pakistan is nothing new. However, the drastic escalation of violence thereof against the Fourth Estate by the targeting of well-known media personnel is very disturbing.

To quote my article ‘Media and accountability’ of December 6, 2007, “The ‘honest broker’ role of the media is one of its most important functions. The people need the media to provide them with a fair and accurate report of events and policies. Even in times of great trials and upheaval, like the situation obtaining in Pakistan today, the people must be involved in important decision-making. They can only be so if they are part of the process. The media helps get them involved. Without a free and independent media, citizens cannot know that their voices will be heard.

“The media in Pakistan has been increasingly subjected to different types of intimidation to silence the voice of dissent and truth. The same (Musharraf) regime that to its credit allowed ‘a hundred flowers to bloom’ in the media has engaged in acts of vandalising, threatening telephone calls, illegal detentions, harassment and use of various state bodies against journalists, writers, media owners and other members of the media. These tactics are systematic pattern of harassment and victimisation used against those who cannot otherwise be tamed or bribed. Governments should realise that being in power they need to be held accountable”.

While terrorists and criminals employ the same tools of intimidation, the media is showing increasing courage in fighting back to protect the freedom of expression.

Contributing to the institutionalisation and strengthening of democracy by promoting good governance, the Pakistani media has raised the level of knowledge among people by exposing the crimes and misdeeds of the national/international criminals, smugglers and terrorists. A bridge between the government and the opposition, between the government and the people, between people and their representatives and between national and global interests, the media has given voice to the grievances of the neglected people in society.

As per my article ‘Media as an economic force multiplier”, dated November 8, 1999, “Democracies depend upon the media to maintain the sanctity of trust imposed by the people on any government. Without the media to exercise an effective check, authority has a tendency to go berserk in all senses of the word, combining misuse of powers with nepotism, favouritism and outright corruption.” This accountability makes the media into a measure of dread for those who fear such accountability. Accountability also requires the government to publish the list of those in the media paid by any state organ.

While the right to disagree is a fundamental prerogative and one has to respect that right, it must be on the basis of facts, logic and force of arguments. The media must not become party to confusing issues by resorting to conjecture and the coalescing of emotions. Apportioning blame and making accusations on the basis of apprehension rather than on hard evidence takes the focus away from apprehending and prosecuting the actual perpetrators. Objective analysis and presentation on issues of consequence means both criticism and accusation must be done in good faith, rather than for denigrating something for personal vested interests and ulterior motives for maligning somebody.

The gut reaction alleging ISI involvement in the Hamid Mir case is most unfortunate. As vocal critics of the government, the army and the ISI, both Raza Rumi and Imtiaz Alam could have made the same allegations. While it is Hamid Mir’s fundamental right to accuse anyone from whom he feels a life threat, perception cannot take precedence over hard evidence. Knowing that Hamid Mir was making such accusations anyone could have taken advantage by a ‘false flag’ operation to put the blame on the ISI.

While this was a professional ‘hit’ of a target killer, six bullets in the body out of nine fired, it did not have the hallmark of being professionally executed as a set-piece ambush. Putting it bluntly, if it were the ISI Hamid Mir would be dead!

We must wait for the Judicial Commission’s enquiry. Do we align ourselves with the Indian media going to town on our vital state organs without all the facts uncovered? Freedom of expression cannot become a licence to attack the integrity of the state by vicious propaganda. We must not get carried away with emotions and/or jump to conclusions, professionalism requires fact-based analysis and investigation.

According to Wikipedia, “mass media have a basic responsibility to help strengthen and support democratic processes. Fairness, honesty and ethical behaviour and open, probing minds must be nurtured. Journalists have to be committed to the excellence of their profession to its high standards, and to its defence. Journalists must also take upon themselves an important duty – to act as the people’s agents in seeking the truth and uncovering falsehood. They must adhere to the highest moral and ethical standards”.

Journalists and editors must report the news without injecting into it their own points of view. Sometimes we transgress this aspect of self-governance and responsibility thereof.

In the prevailing circumstances the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) has taken a bold initiative for the protection of the media by tasking a newly formed Defence and Security Committee (DSC) to work towards a solution for the security problems facing media groups and their employees. The DSC will prepare a comprehensive security strategy for securing and sustaining media facilities throughout Pakistan during both natural and man-made emergencies such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters and all other threats or attacks nationwide, to ensure operation of media facilities before, during and after any major emergency.

Recommendations will include detecting, preparing for, preventing, protecting against, responding to and recovering from emergencies thereof. These will assure optimal reliability, robustness and security of media facilities throughout Pakistan, by arranging: (1) security audit and risk-assessment of media houses, safety training of employees of media groups and expansion of risk awareness; (2) creation of a special desk for media emergencies in the control rooms of a major private security company in each city with all media personnel getting a special number to call in an emergency; (3) monitoring media personnel moving to any trouble area if he or she will inform the control room at his or her discretion about his probable destination; (4) constantly re-evaluating risks, teaching media personnel operational discretion, training and awareness of post-emergency procedures; and (5) devising comprehensive medical insurance cover for in- hospital cases.

Instead of resorting to ‘ad hoc’ and/or ‘containment’ measures, reacting and fire-fighting, the DSC will prepare a well-crafted comprehensive policy for the protection of media freedom that is not straitjacketed by fixed mindsets. Freedom of expression being under threat, we must think ‘out of the box’ in devising ways and means to effectively counter this existential threat.

The writer is a defence and political analyst. Email: ikram.sehgal@wpplsms.com

The News

Rumi, a vocal critic of the Taliban and religious extremists groups, was shot at in Lahore on March 28 in which his driver was killed and a guard was injured.

“I am out for a few months. Will be with my relatives and family abroad,” Rumi told PTI adding that he will be back.

He also tweeted saying, “I am travelling. Visiting family/friends. Need some time off to regain sanity!”

“He had no choice but to leave as the authorities felt no embarrassment in letting him know that they could not guarantee his life if he stepped outside his Lahore home,” Ali Dayan, the outgoing Pakistan director at Human Rights Watch said in an article.

Pakistani law enforcement agencies had last week presented ‘six target killers’ of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) who were allegedly involved in a number of killings of Shia leaders including the attack on Rumi.

Lahore police chief Shafiq Ahmed Gujja said the accused claimed that they had targeted Rumi for his anti-LeT views.

News of his leaving the country came as another senior journalist Hamid Mir was shot at in Karachi. Mir, who is now in hospital and stable, was hit by six bullets.

“Earlier, you know where the bullet will come from. Now, you do not even know that,” a senior woman journalist said.

The media community, however, is divided after Mir’s brother blamed “certain” elements in the ISI and its chief for the attack.

Jang Group, which owns Geo TV where Mir worked, has however issued a statement that it respects the military.

Many here question the way the channel played up the allegation. Surprisingly, some have even questioned the attack itself and claimed that it was a deliberate ploy by the Group to malign Pakistani institutions.

Senior journalist Imtiaz Alam is reported to have quit Express News channel after he was apparently denied to air a programme on Mir.

The Express Group in Islamabad has faced multiple attacks and three of its personnel have also been killed.

Rumi had recently joined the Express Group and was anchoring a talk show.

In the previous attacks Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan had claimed the responsibility, saying the Group especially its English publication – Express Tribune – is criticising the banned group.

NDTV

The unfortunate assassination attempt on one of the most brilliant journalists of Pakistan is problematic at many levels. Even more so, the post-attack treatment of the tragedy by media and opinion makers is troublesome at best and soaked in lethal corporate spitefulness, vindictiveness and callousness at its worst. Nothing can be more damaging to the health of civilized social discourse than dehumanizing human blood.

All kinds of conspiracy theories ranging from ‘the attack is a drama’ to ‘he got it on himself with an agenda’ to ‘it was a choreographed attack to malign country’s defense institutions’ were seen afloat on prime time TV talk shows as well as on spreadsheet media. As a citizen of this fateful country, one wanted a serious and meaningful defense of these institutions by themselves rather than being happily treated like a Virgin Mary hiding behind red-capped defenders.

Hamid’s crimes have been many. His penchant to speak his mind and standing up for whatever he believes in was his biggest crime, like that of my friend Raza Rumi who was attacked less than a month ago. Hamid’s interpretation of ‘truth’ and ‘right’ might be subjective as the case is with any of us. Our causes are defined by the ideology we believe in. I had always taken Hamid as a journalist true to himself having an ideology that might be contrasting at many points with mine. Surprisingly enough, over the last few years, he has been defeating these points I used to mistake as ‘contrasting’. Both of us saw many convergence points very often.

Hamid’s narrative and approach to citizen-state relationship was different than most of us ‘liberal fascists’. He might not have been advocating a secular state, but his ideals for a democratic, progressive society matched ours at many points. The causes he had picked up over the years included highlighting the issues of missing persons, strongly putting the case for a balanced civil-military relations with a slight tilt towards universally recognized pro-democracy and pro-civilian arguments, his position on military dictatorships especially on the current trial of the recent dictator Pervez Musharraf inter alia. You could differ with him but no one has a right to make an attempt on his life nor could one justify such violent behavior for this difference of opinion.

Looking at the list of issues he has been taking up, it is not rocket science as to who would be itched most by Hamid’s causes. The fact that he has been sharing with his family, friends and colleagues, the information about the way he was being threatened by some moles, cannot be discounted and brushed away just because those moles belong to an institution that wants to retain its ‘respect’ and has guns at its disposal. The boys need to understand one fact, that respect is earned not imposed.

The moment Hamid’s brother came on media and informed the nation about who has been threatening Hamid, pandemonium was unleashed on his media house. The group had to repeatedly reiterate that it was not against any institution of the country. The media has been viciously saying things against elected institutions of this country but never had one seen the legislative retorting so unabashedly. That, gentlemen, undermines the very honor and ‘waqaar’ you are so fond of reasserting and defending.
No one, nevertheless, could be sure of who sent the assassins unless there is an impartial investigation.

If there is a way to protect the honor of sacred institutions, it is their unconditional support for a transparent and speedy investigation of this crime. Officials from spy agencies have been found threatening journalists and other naysayers in past too. A couple of years ago, veteran human rights defender of Pakistan and former President of Supreme Court Bar Council, Ms. Asma Jehangir was threatened, as was Imtiaz Alam of SAFMA. The latter took the matter to the spymaster leadership and the culprit was even removed. The case of Saleem Shehzad is not that distant in the past yet. What happened to Hamid’s colleague Umar Cheema is also not a hidden secret. Why is this case, then, being taken as a virginity test of the spy agency?

The military leadership would come out as a great defender of the honor and dignity of its institution if it announces full and unconditional support for an objective investigation into the matter, surrender the accused if s/he is from the premium spy agency and cooperate in punishing the culprit if the crime is proved. It would only escalate the pedestal of armed forces in people’s eyes, who have unfortunately started seeing their own armed forces as a manipulator. No country, let alone a conflict-ridden state like Pakistan that is inflicted with myriad external challenges of geo-political nature, can afford such a problematic relationship between people and defense institutions.

It is most amusing when the treasonous acts of military dictators and electoral manipulations of people’s mandate by officials of spy agencies are termed as ‘individual’ acts rather than institutional. But when it comes to such accusations as the agencies are facing in the wake of the assassination attempt on Hamid Mir, it is considered to be an attack on the institution.

The penholders, who do nothing but their job of keeping the masses informed are not the enemy, the ones who play with institutions’ repute by undertaking such criminal activities are the enemies. The military establishment must pick and choose its enemies. Not a long time ago, a leader of one politico-religious party that has been the hot favorite of the establishment, cast serious aspersions on the armed forces and our brave soldiers fighting at the borders and giving their lives by calling them ‘stooges of USA’. He went on to undermine the sacrifices of our soldiers by saying that they are not martyrs – shaheeds – when they die in the line of their duty.

One did not see any such ruckus among the rank and file after this vicious attack on the morale of our soldiers. There was no angry representation of ISPR on TV talk shows and not a single castigating word on such irresponsible attitude. The honor of institutions can’t be preserved on personal likes and dislikes for sure. The new military leadership that has brought an air of hope with it, must cater to these challenges with care, sagacity and commitment to democratic ideals the Father of the Nation, the Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah laid down for us.

Finally, Hamid Mir, his family and his organization deserve our unflinching support for the right, for the justice and for the protection of the rights of citizen journalists. With all my difference of opinion, which has shrunken to very little over the years, I have no doubt in my mind that Hamid is a brave journalist committed to his work in the most honest way and loves his country, may be much more than those attacking his organization for challenging the mightiest of the mighty. Today I went to the hospital and saw him but could not gather the courage to see the ever smiling energetic strong Hamid lying on hospital bed with all those horrible looking tubes and needles piercing his body. Hamid, I do want to see you back on your program at the earliest. Come soon and let’s debate on issues we differ. We, the civilians, must continue demonstrating our ability to differ with civility and dignity. That’s our revenge.

May you live long, jio Hamid Mir!

The writer is an Islamabad based campaigner for human rights and works on parliamentary strengthening and democratic governance.

Email:marvi@marvisirmed.com
Tweets at:@marvisirmed

The Nation

Addressing editors from Sindh at the CPNE Secretariat, he said the threat to senior journalist Imtiaz Alam, the attacks on Express News anchorperson Raza Rumi and Peshawar bureau chief Jamshed Baghwan and the harassment of other editors and journalists were ‘links in the same chain of events’.

The meeting was convened to discuss the increasing number of attacks on the media and the government’s failure to provide security to media persons.

Khattak said the UN and international media organisations have insisted that Pakistan will remain on top of the list of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists unless the persons involved in the attacks on the media are identified and arrested, and special prosecutors are appointed for their speedy trial.

Senior editor Wamiq Zuberi suggested that rather than waiting for any action from the government, journalists should arrange security on their own. Member of the council’s standing committee Aamir Mehmood said the plan of the CPNE Defence and Security Subcommittee is in its final stages.

The meeting was addressed by Hamid Hussain Moosavi, Ghulam Nabi Chandio, Mukhtar Aqil, Tahir Najmi, Nasirdad Baloch, Abdul Khaliq Marshal, Abdul Rahman Mangrio, Kamran Rizvi, Zahida Abbasi, Haseena Jatoi, Durdana Shahab, Sher Muhammad Kharo, Qazi Mustafa Asad Abbasi, Muhammad Taqi Alvi, Waheed jamal and Usman Arab.

Express Tribune

The protesting journalists, who were carrying placards and banners, chanted slogans in support of their demands.

They demanded immediate arrest of the killers of Mumtaz Alam, condemned life threats to Imtiaz Alam and attack on anchorperson Raza Rumi.

BUJ President Irfan Saeed, General Secretary Irshad Mastao, SAFMA Balochistan President Shehzada Zulfiqar and Press Club President Razaur Rehman addressed the protesters.

Daily Times

This was stated in a statement issued here by PCP Chairman, Raja Shafqat Abbasi who took strong exception to the attacks/threats on working journalist and warned that nobody should be allowed to pressurize the media to toe their line.

He said repeated attacks/threats on media persons/houses is the biggest challenge for those who advocate for democracy, free press and revere difference in opinion . Chairman has asked the government to take effective measure to protect free functioning of the press.

He said on this grave issue PCP will take up the issue of security of media houses with the concerned government officials. He said under article 19 and 19(A) of the constitution government is bound to protect free functioning of the press and security of the working journalist.

“Now we need to react fast and nation must unite to take on those who pose a threat to free press”, He added.

He said these are tough times as forces of disorder and conflict are pitched against decency of order, rule of law and free flow of information and we must tackle it with a befitting response.

Pakistan Observer

Several journalists and civil society representatives gathered in front of the Lahore Press Club on Sunday. They held banners carrying slogans like Ban Media Coverage of Terrorists Collectively; Freedom of Expression Under Threat; and Attack on One Attack on All. Shouts of “Not scared of threats!” rang through the crowd of protesters. They chanted slogans and vowed to continue fighting for freedom of the press. “Stop threatening journalists, we want peace,” the participants said in unison.

Hussain Naqi said the government must realise that it is not only the journalists’ freedoms on the line, “it’s all of us…it’s the state on the line”. He said it was time the nation got together and rejected terrorists once and for all. Pakistan achieved independence through the struggle and sacrifices of reporters, photojournalists and editors…the government of the Punjab must provide them security.
“The struggle for the freedom of press in the subcontinent is more than 150 years old…it will continue,” he said.

“Militant groups can’t stop us from doing our duties as journalists. Journalism is our vocation and I strongly condemn the threats to Imtiaz Alam,” said Najam Sethi. “We must forget personal differences and professional rivalries and work together for the freedom of press.”

Lahore Press Club secretary Shahbaz Mian said, “Once again, cowardly terrorists and militants scared of the pen and the camera have threatened Imtiaz Alam. A few days ago, they attacked our fellow journalist Raza Rumi. They are ganging up against liberal and progressive journalists…now all of them are on their hit list. But we will remain united and won’t surrender.”

Journalist Ahmed Waleed said Pakistan was one of the most dangerous countries for journalists to be in. “We are here to express solidarity with journalists who are threatened but continue doing their job.”

This is so uncivilised, columnist Kamran Shafi said, “Terrorists should agree to a dialogue with media representatives. They can try to convince us, or write about their views instead of resorting to threats. But if they want to kill us, so be it, we are not scared.”

Fawad Chaudhry, media adviser to the Pakistan Peoples Party chairman, said, “If we want to make Pakistan a liberal and progressive country, we have to work for it together. On behalf of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the PPP, I strongly condemn the terrorists’ threats to journalist and SAFMA Secretary General Imtiaz Alam.”

Chaudhry said Zardari and he had also received threats. “We are all threatened on a daily basis but we will continue to work for a progressive Pakistan and will not stop till we reach our destiny.”

Punjab Union of Journalists president Wasim Farooq, Lahore Press Club president Arshad Ansari and Riaz Durrani of Jamat-i-Ulema Islam also spoke at the occasion and urged the government to provide security to journalists.

Express Tribune

In a statement issued on Sunday, Bilawal said that death threats to a patriotic and nationalist journalist had exposed the level of insecurity among those circles who are opposed to the policy of appeasement adopted by the federal government.

He pointed out that death threats to Alam following murderous attack on another journalist and anchorperson Raza Rumi was warning to all those who want integrity of Pakistan as a democratic and welfare state free of injustice, exploitation and discrimination of any kind.

Bilawal expressed solidarity with Alam and appreciated his brave and bold narrative against terrorism and extremism. He also extended support to protests being held by journalists across the country against threats.

Daily Times