RAWALPINDI: After investigating the issue, City Police Station has registered an FIR under Sections of 506, 147 and 149 against Town Municipal Administration (TMA) Rawal Town officials as they thrashed The News reporter Khalid Iqbal. Police were continuously raiding to hunt the accused down but culprits went underground after registration of FIR here on Thursday.

Station House Officer (SHO) Mustafa Niazi along with Sub-Inspector Abdul Latif, who is also Investigation Officer (IO) of this case, and some other police officials investigated the matter.

Inspector Nazir Zada, Pervez Mughal and others are allegedly involved in thrashing the journalist on the occasion. The SHO and IO told The News, “We would arrest the culprits soon. We are continuously making raids on different localities to arrest them.”

Town Municipal Officer Rawal Town Mir Akmal, who is also inquiry in-charge on behalf of DCO Sajid Zafar Daal, said, “I am also investigating this matter. We will decide the matter on merit and we will take strict departmental action against responsible people.”

After failing to comply with the Lahore High Court orders and purge Raja Bazaar and its adjoining business centres of the city from encroachment mafia completely, in a sheer act of high handedness, the anti-encroachment staff of Tehsil Municipal Administration, Rawal Town, Wednesday manhandled the journalist when he asked them about existence of encroachments despite lapse of court-set deadline. When Khalid Iqbal raised the question with Town Officer (Regulation) Malik Tauseef Ahmed, the concerned anti-enforcement inspector of Raja Bazaar, Nazeer Zada, along with other inspectors, entered the room and started arguments with the reporter.

In the meantime, the inspectors exchanged harsh words and allegedly beat up the reporter in presence of Town Officer who allegedly didn’t even interfere to cool down the situation. The encroachment inspectors allegedly threatened the reporter of dire consequences, if he dared to file reports regarding encroachments.

Meanwhile, Press Council of Pakistan took notice of the manhandling of the reporter by the Inspectors of Tehsil Municipal Administration Rawal Town Rawlapindi.

The PCP believes that such acts of violence against the press hinder the free flow of information and, therefore, be checked and contained. The PCP requested the concerned authorities to look into the incident and a report may be provided to the Council at an early date.

The News

The PCP told the authorities that the freedom of press, free flow of information and right to know is the fundamental right of every citizen of Pakistan guaranteed under Article 19 & 19-A of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. It said no one has right to force or put pressure in any way on the media to toe his line and to get news of his choice. It said the freedom of press is to be ensured at every cost.

Under sub-section 1(i) of Section 8 of the PCP Ordinance, the freedom of press is to be preserved. Similarly, under sub-section 2 of Section 8 of the PCP Ordinance, 2002, it is statutory obligation of the PCP “to act as a shield to freedom of press or against any sort of interference in the proper functioning of the press, by any person, party or organisation etc”. Attacks on the media are not only condemnable but are also tantamount to causing interference in the dissemination of information to the general public. Such action is not a good sign and cannot be justified in democratic norms and culture.The PCP requested the concerned authorities to take appropriate action in the matter and provide proper security to media houses.

The News

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

ISLAMABAD: A delegation of Press Council of Pakistan led by its Chairman Raja M. Shafqat Khan Abbasi called on President Mamnoon Hussain in Islamabad Thursday. The chairman PCP briefed the president about role‚ mandate‚ activities and achievements of the Press Council of Pakistan.

President said the government recognises and respects the critical role of the media as a fourth pillar of the state. He reiterated Government’s firm commitment towards ensuring freedom of the media and facilitating journalists and media practitioners in pursuit of their professional duties.

The President said that media has important role to play towards socio-economic development of the country, strengthening democracy, promoting good governance and complementing efforts aimed at overcoming the existing challenges. The President during the meeting also highlighted the various efforts and steps being taken by the government to address the challenges at various fronts and expressed hope that sincere efforts of the Government would result in peace, stability and progress of the country and resultantly socio-economic prosperity of the people of Pakistan .

The President appreciated the efforts of Press Council of Pakistan towards ensuring highest professional and ethical standards of newspapers and news agencies and implementing the Ethical Code of Practice for the press while upholding the freedom of media in the country. Chairman PCP, Raja M. Shafqat Khan Abbasi presented to the President the annual report of the Press council of Pakistan. The President later also hosted lunch for the members of the Press Council of Pakistan.

Islamabad: At a seminar on media ethics and court reporting, senior journalists and lawyers agreed that there was urgent need to abide by the professional norms by media, lawyers and other professionals in fulfilment of national imperatives.

Islamabad High Court Bar Association organised the seminar in collaboration with Press Council of Pakistan (PCP) Raja Shafqat Khan Abbasi reviewed media situation in terms of professional norms and common man’s interests.

Chairman, Press Council of Pakistan, Raja Shafqat Abbasi speaking on the occasion, said that Press and lawyers has played a great role for restoration of judiciary, in strengthening the democracy and rule of law in the country. Court reporters are vital part of judicial system who need extra care and caution. He urged the media persons that while reporting, principles of fairness, accuracy, impartiality, right of privacy and verification should be maintained. He said that sensationalism, encouragement of violence or terrorism should find no place in journalism. He said that credit goes to parliament which reviewed the 73 constitution in its full spirit and framed Article 10-A relating to right of access to information and fair trial. He appreciated the initiative of Pakistan Bar Council in signing MOU with PCP. In case of any threat from any quarter to a media person or Press, the legal fraternity will provide legal assistance to them.

Abbasi said Pakistan can take pride in its free media. “Media has achieved freedom strength and prestige as a result of strenuous efforts and sacrifices”, he observed adding that now was the time to move towards maturity and professional ethics so that media could keep its rise and avoid decline. He said people have right of access to information through media. “This is how institutions become transparent and are subjected to accountability”, he said.

President, Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors, Chie Editor daily ‘Jinnah’ in his address at the seminar touched on various pressing issues relating to media practices. He focused on media development in historical perspective but lamented that there were some signs of decline also. He stressed the need to stem the tide of decline in media by promoting objectively fairness and balance in reporting. He proposed that as Bar and Bench jointly work for administration of justice, so must do Bar and Media for promoting fair court reporting and cause of justice.

Hanif Khalid, Resident Editor daily Jung, said, media in Pakistan could learn from their counterpart in the advanced countries of the world. He said the lawyers should brief reporters on cases of public interest.

Asad Malik, President Islamabad High Court Press Association said the media has gained more importance in the society in the wake of judicial activism. “It is now for media to highlight cases of national importance being taken up by our superior judiciary without losing professional balance”, he observed.

President, Islamabad High Court Bar Association, Dr Syed Anwar Shah made a brief mention of the media concept of ‘Free Market of Ideas’ and the rival concept based on need for regulated media. He said the first concept was preferable but within the framework of professional ethics. He was sure that Pakistani media would preserve its freedom and mature with the passage of time.

Secretary General, Islamabad High Court Bar Association Chaudhry Junaid Akhtar Chohan thanked the participants and assured the journalists of cooperation by lawyers in court reporting.

Pakistan Press Foundation

Kaira reaffirms commitment to freedom of expression

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday took pride in upholding media freedoms and showing tolerance for dissent.

He said, “We have extended the hand of friendship to all political forces, to the media and all stakeholders as well and we feel satisfied that this policy of the government has started paying dividends. He said the government is earnestly addressing issues of media freedom and in this regard a Press Council has been set up and its chairman has been appointed. It is now for the Press Council to move forward and move fast in consultation with all stakeholders,” he added.

President Zardari said this while addressing the opening ceremony of the state-run TV’s English channel. He said Pakistan was a democratic and peace-loving country and its people are hospitable, courteous and hard-working. He urged the need for projecting these characteristics of Pakistanis and positive and soft image of the country at national and international level. He said that independent media was a guarantor of human rights, freedoms and liberties and its role was critical in furthering democracy.

Commenting on the freedom of information, he said that the Ministry of Information has taken the ownership of the Freedom of Information Act as the government believes in providing genuine access to information for the sake of transparency and accountability.

President Zardari expressed confidence that a Senate sub committee and the Ministry of Information are already working on the draft of Freedom of Information Act in consultation with all stakeholders to repeal the old Ordinance of 2002, and bring in a new Act of the Parliament. He directed the Ministry of Information to expedite finalisation of the Bill and table it in the parliament at the earliest. He stated that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto as Prime Minister started the process of liberalisation of the media in the light of her vision It was for the first time during her government that the system of newsprint quota was done away with and it was in his government that cable news in Pakistan were introduced.

Recounting some of the achievements of the Present government, he said that the government has taken far-reaching measures to consolidate democracy which includes giving self-rule to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, resolving the issue of distribution of resources between the Federation and the Provinces through 7th NFC Award, restoring the 1973 Constitution, reclaiming Swat and Malakand from the militants, fighting terrorists and extremists head on and empowering the parliament in helping frame security and foreign policies. Commenting on the state of economy, he said that although certain sections of the society object to economic performance of the government which he opined are not based upon facts, he said that standard of living of the people was on the improvement which was reflected by the enhanced sale of cars, tractors, motor cycles and other necessities of life. He said that performance of the Karachi Stock Exchange, increased remittances and increase in country’s export shows that economy was not stagnant but was growing steadily and gradually. He however urged the need for more vigorous steps for sustainable economic development.

Commenting on current energy problems, he said that the government was deeply conscious of the energy problem which, he said was result of the circular debt left behind by the previous government. He said that during Shaheed Muhtarma’s second government Pakistan had surplus electricity and were even able to export power. However thoughtless reversal of the energy policy of her government led to the present day power crisis. He urged the need for all political parties and stakeholders to develop consensus on economic policies, particularly policies in addressing the energy crisis.

The president while touching upon steps taken by the government to improve condition of the media, said that present government has taken a number of measures for improving the conditions in media and will continue to take more such actions. He called upon all the stakeholders to work together to improve government-press relations in the larger interest of the country and the people.

On joint struggle for restoration of democracy in the country, he said that he has very close association with media persons as we together with many of the journalists endure hardship in the struggle for restoration of democracy in the country.

Speaking at the ceremony, Information Minister Kaira said the democratic government under the visionary leadership of President Zardari had demonstrated unflinching commitment to the freedom of expression, access to information and informed accountability.

He said the government had unprecedented patience and endurance to the hard hitting criticism by media and independent commentators.He said no journalist was ever victimised on account of criticism in last five years of democratic dispensation.

Kaira said the PPP leadership had taught the lesson of democratic patience and democratic dissent.He said today Pakistan is graduating into one of the most dynamic democracies of the world.He said he attributed the credit for the emerging democratic and political maturity to all political and democratic forces of the country.

Pakistan Press Foundation

Addressing a consultative meeting of journalists and lawyers organised by Intermedia for “Attacks against Journalists” here, he said the mandate of Council was to receive the complaints and to enforce ethical code of practice to develop good media practice in the country.

He said that the government, civil society, media organisations and political parties should evolve strategy to combat extremism, terrorism and militancy in the society, which had endangered freedom of press.

The chairman said murders of the journalist indicated the challenges faced by them, especially in areas where law and order situation was bad. Attacks on the media persons are not only condemnable but also tantamount to causing interference in the free dissemination of information.

Replying to a question, he said that it required prevention mechanism and action to address some of the root causes of violence against journalists with immunity. He has further stated that “under Article 19 and 19-A of the

Constitution of Pakistan, freedom of press and right to access of information has been granted. Under sub-section 1(i) of the Press Council of Pakistan Ordinance, the freedom of Press is to be preserved.

He said that the PCP had ensured to act as a shield to freedom of press or against any sort of interference in the proper functioning of the press.He expressed the hope that the government and media would benefit from vision of PCP members and the Council will prove to be an important component to strengthen media.

Pakistan Press Foundation

PCP Chairman Raja M Shafqat Khan Abbasi and Vice Chairman, Pakistan Bar Council, Akhtar Hussain have signed a MoU in this regard here on Friday. Protecting rights of the media and working journalists, especially in sensitive areas has seriously become a tough issue to address to these days in Pakistan. Press as well as legal fraternity of Pakistan had played a vital role in upholding true values of democracy for the rule of law and citizens’ right of expression granted under the Constitution.

According to MoU, both the bodies have agreed to become strategic partners to collaborate in providing legal aid to media persons who fell victim to attack/harassment or murder while during their professional work. The scope of collaboration will include at all levels throughout the country. The Pakistan Bar Council and Press Council of Pakistan will support and strengthen each other’s ongoing initiatives in this regard.

The PBC and PCP will jointly develop new concepts and ideas to protect rights of the media and working journalists in any part of the country.

Both the PBC and PCP will form a working group to review progress on quarterly basis and explore new areas to promote ethical journalism and safe environment for the media persons in the country.

They will support each other in case of any attack or assault on the freedom of press. It was agreed to make short, medium and long terms arrangements to meet the stipulated objectives within ambits of their working charters.

Pakistan Press Foundation

As per the signed MoU, scope of intervention of both parties includes creating public awareness, involving in research and media development, capacity building and community mobilisation and policy reforms related to press freedom and right to information.

Both parties decided to support and strengthen each other’s on-going initiatives and intend to jointly develop new interventions seeking support through multi-lateral and bi-lateral organisations. PCP and WEG will also form a working group to review progress on quarterly basis and explore new areas of intervention.

CEO WEG Omer Aftab said he was hopeful about this collaboration with PCP, which would further help in spreading the cause to the masses. Chairman PCP Raja Shafqat Abbasi ensured his support in promoting media ethics on human rights and particularly women rights. WEG is a Pakistani-based non-governmental organisation working with the goal to emancipate and empower women since 1999. The organisation works on creating awareness among women about their rights, advocate their participation in mainstream politics, mobilise them from all strata of society to participate in socio-development of the country.

Pakistan Press Foundation

“The commission on the problems faced by journalists of Balochistan will be headed by Balochistan Times chief editor Syed Fasieh Iqbal and comprise PCP member Bachal Laghari and Quetta Press Club’s president Saleem Shahid,” PCP chairman Raja Shafqat Abbasi told reporters on Wednesday.

He said the commission would look into whether FIRs of killings of journalists had been registered, progress made in investigation and whether the killers had been arrested.

He said PCP had in a recent meeting reviewed the security challenges being faced by journalists in Balochistan in the discharge of their professional duties, such as target killings and threats which had led many to flee their districts, to closure of the Khuzdar Press Club and registration of a case against 26 journalists in Quetta.

He said the freedom of information law was not being implemented in the province properly. The council, he added, had reviewed the issue of target killings of journalists and whether the government and employer media organisations had paid compensation to the bereaved families.

Raja Shafqat said the PCP had approved election coverage guidelines for the media. “Coverage of the coming general election will be a test for the media and it will have to avoid giving personal remarks while telecasting or publishing news and programmes related to elections,” he said.

Pakistan Press Foundation