ISLAMABAD – Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry has said that the PTI government would ensure the independence of the media as there is no plan under consideration to impose any sanction on this sector.

He said this while explaining the ruling government’s information policy during a panel interview to The Nation and Nawa-i-Waqt here Friday.

When asked if the government is creating problems and difficulties for the media particularly, the print media, by using advertisements as an instrument, the minister strongly rejected this impression, terming it baseless and unfounded. “Such impression has no ground. There is no truth in it,” he said.

He explained the media groups should not rely on government advertisements only and make comprehensive efforts to explore the private sector in this regard.

He claimed the previous government of PML-N had used government advertisements as “bribes” to gain media favours, which cannot be tolerated in any way. “Our government would hold investigation in this regard,” the information minister asserted and added the government is also considering more initiatives to address the media community’s problems in a better way.

To a question about some media groups’ outstanding dues worth billion of rupees against government, which is a major reason for delay in payment of salaries to media workers, the information minister explained that according to media groups, the government has to pay over Rs 4 billion dues, which is not correct. In fact, he explained, these dues are Rs 1.25 billion only and the government has already given directives for the release of this amount.

When referred to problems and difficulties the media workers are facing, the minister said the PTI government is fully cognizant of their problems and revealed the government is going to issue health cards to all media persons and their families in addition to their health insurance.

To a question as to when the PTI government is going to take initiatives to mitigate the economic sufferings of the general masses, Fawad said the government is weighing various options in this regard.

He claimed the previous government had ruined the country’s economy; circular debts have reached Rs 1,100 billion while the gas sector is facing a deficit of Rs 124 billion.

The country will certainly come out of this crisis and the government is taking gradual steps in this regard, the minister said.

“We are taking the issue of amendments in the finance bill to the parliament. If the government does not amend it, the revival of the country’s economy will not be possible,” he cautioned.

The information minister said the Punjab is rich in resources, but this province has literally bankrupt mainly due to the inexperienced ministers of the PML-N government.

To a question whether the PTI government is planning to amend the CPEC projects, the minister said it is the backbone of the country’s economy. “We are, in fact, expanding the CPEC,” he explained.

He disclosed that in addition to Pakistan and China, now another important country is going to become third member of the CPEC. “We have also invited the US to become part of it,” he added.

To a question whether Prime Minister Imran Khan is going to Saudi Arabia and whether there is any chance of getting their support for the revival of Pakistan’s economy, Fawad confirmed the PM’s visit to Saudi Arabia and said the Saudi leadership would extend support in this regard.

Answering yet another question, the information minister said the PTI government is ready to form a commission to probe the alleged rigging in the general elections.

The Nation

Media in the crosshairsThe media remained the target of attack through 2014, caught in the crosshairs of guns wielded by militants, political and criminal elements and even professional rivals throughout 2014. The country was declared the world’s most dangerous place for journalists by the International Federation of Journalists, ahead of war-torn Syria. Fourteen journalists were killed during the year in what appeared to be targeted attacks – in some cases for exposing wrongdoing, in others for motives that remain mysterious.

The year began on a bad note, with a television channel reporter shot dead on January 1 in Larkana, allegedly for showing a pharmacy selling a drug that had a ‘not for resale’ label on it. The life of journalists it seems comes cheap. There were other incidents too, such as the attack on the office of the Online International News Network in Quetta in August. Three persons, including two journalists, were killed. There were no arrests and, as the PFUJ noted in his report released at the start of the year, this impunity contributed to making the year that has just passed possibly the worst on record for media professionals in the country.

The lack of accountability was visible also in the failure to identify those who had staged attacks on prominent journalists or issued threats. Geo news journalist Hamid Mir narrowly escaped death in May 2014 when he was attacked by gunmen in Karachi. Raza Rumi had to flee the country after his car was shot at in Lahore in March the same year. We still do not know who was responsible for these assaults or the threats issued to journalists. The trend seems dangerously to be on the rise.

It was not only individuals who were caught in the delicate line fire. The Jang/Geo media house was taken off the air for 15 days following charges of blasphemy made during a morning show, with the incident leading to a mass campaign in which newspapers belonging to the group were attacked and all Geo channels erased from cable networks long beyond the Pemra dictated period of a 15-day suspension. There were strong suspicions of rivalries and politics at play in the unpleasant series of events.

Other channels came under attack too, with the PTV headquarters in Islamabad broken into by PTI and PAT activists on September 1 during their sit-in in the capital. For 40 minutes, the national network vanished from the airwaves. No one has been punished for what happened; and no one has been punished for the attacks made on media professionals by political activists including those from the PTI – a party which has repeatedly lashed out at Geo, accusing it of being an enemy agent with activists beating up its reporters covering their rallies.

While the year has been a bleak one for the media, it has also been a time when the need is arisen for it to reflect on its own actions. The issue of hate speech broadcast over channels has been raised again and again. This is a matter that has to be addressed. Media responsibility is just as important as is the need by the state to protect it. We also lost key figures who have shaped the media in Pakistan during the last year, with Majeed Nazami, one of the country’s best known editors whose contributions go beyond the realm of journalism, passing away in July 2014.

The hold of the media over the minds of people continues to grow. It has shown resilience in the face of violence, and its evolution continues at a time when it is clear it must play a critical role in shaping the future of our country.

The News

2014 has been one of the most difficult years for the Pakistani media. Due to the alarming, yet familiar, threats from militant groups, law enforcement agencies, and political parties, the Pakistani media remained bitterly divided.

The annual press freedom report released here by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) said that 2014 saw media professionals paying a heavy price in blood. Their strived to keep Pakistani citizens informed in an increasingly polarized and violence prone country. Eight media personnel, including three journalists, were killed during the year. At least thirty-five media practitioners were injured during 2014.

The unprecedented reversals in media freedom include divisions between media organisations, which isolated the local media group. The ensuing viscous propaganda between said group and rival media badly tarnished of the image the media among the public. Having isolated the group, the distribution of the group’s newspapers and television channels was disrupted to an extent not previously seen in the history of the country.

The bickering between media groups overshadowed the loss of life they were collectively suffering. For instance, the fatal shooting of reporter Shan Dahar on December 31, 2013, in Larkana, Sindh, did not garner the attention it should have. He was short in the back and taken to a hospital where he remained unattended to until he succumbed to his injuries the next day. Only a handful of days later another private channel’s DSNG van was attacked on January 17, 2014 resulted in the death of three media workers.

In March, Raza Rumi faced a deadly attack – while he survived, his driver died in the attack. On August 28, 2014, unidentified assailants barged into the offices of a news agency in Quetta and murdered Bureau Chief Irshad Mustoi, reporter Abdul Rasool Khajjak, and accountant Muhammad Younas.

The largest number of injuries occurred on August 31, 2014, when 28 journalists, camera operators, and other media workers, were injured while covering the clashes between the police and the protesters during the demonstrations led by the opposition Pakistan Tehrik Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT).

The next day on September 1, 2014, protestors belonging to PTI and PAT attacked the offices of state owned Pakistan Television (PTV). They took over the control room and running broadcasts were disrupted for a few hours. Supporters of PTI also continued to harass and intimidate the staff members of a private news channel after PTI Chairman Imran Khan alleged that it was complicit in the election rigging that took place in 2013.

Perhaps the only positive aspect in all this could be the realization among the media that effective codes of conduct are needed for a more ethical and peaceful working environment. There is also a greater realization among media organizations of the need to cooperate with civil society and political groups. This is so the issues of media safety and stifled freedom of expression can be addressed.

On the positive side, the killers of Wali Khan Babar, a Pakistani journalist, were convicted by the criminal justice system on Saturday March 1, 2014. A Pakistani court convicted six men for Babar’s murder. He was shot dead in Karachi in January 2011.

Pakistan Today

Talking to a delegation of Pakistan Federation of Union of Journalists (PFUJ) at his residence in Bani Gala, he said the government tried to offer hefty amounts to journalists but the journalists turned down the offer and expressed impartiality.

He said that media is the fourth pillar of the state. He appreciated role of PFUJ in the struggle for sustainability of democracy in the country. PFUJ President Afzal Butt led the delegation comprising Syed Bukhar Shah, National Press Club Secretary Tariq Chaudhry, PFUJ members Ryaz Khan, Qurban Satti, RIUJ General Secreatry Bilal Dar and others.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Shafqat Mehmood, Dr Sheeren Mazari and others accompanied Imran during the talks. Afzal Butt made it clear to PTI central leadership that allegations like journalists are salable commodity in public gatherings hurt journalists and are baseless. He said if the PTI has proof, it should come up in public and names of salable journalists should be exposed.

The News

He said that the sit-ins of the PTI and PAT had inflicted huge losses on the country.He said that the government would not allow anyone to crush Geo and the Jang Group as the illegal closure of Geo and the continuation of attacks on the offices of Geo TV echoed in the joint sitting of both the houses of parliament.

Senator Mushahidullah Khan said that Mehmood Ghaznavi had not attacked the temple of Somnath as many times as the Geo offices had been attacked in recent days.“What Imran Khan is today it is just because of Geo, which painted him as a hero,” he said.

Senator Mushahidullah said Geo would rise again and the powers that be would also see its rise.He said, “Geo and the Jang group are the biggest media group of the country and have been rendering services for Pakistan for the last 70 years. All the institutions have committed mistakes but this did not mean that mistakes should never be pardoned. If anyone commits mistakes, they could be challenged through legal and constitutional means not through the use of force.”

Senator Mushahidullah Khan said that parliament had to play its role in support of Geo as it was not only an issue of Geo but also a national issue. ‘The offices of Geo are being stoned on a daily basis, the vehicles and newspapers of the Jang group are being burnt. We will not allow anyone to use force if anyone has made a mistake,” he added.

He said institutions should resolve those issues that were tasked to them. He said he was critical of Geo, as what Imran Khan was today was due to Geo which gave him wide coverage in the past.He said that the government would not allow anyone to crush Geo and the Jang Group.

He said issues could be resolved if every institution performed its duty. Senator Mushahidullah said that the sit-ins had inflicted $1 billion loss to the country. He said that the PAT chief had come to Pakistan as part of a great game. He said that Imran Khan and Dr Tahirul Qadri were following a secret agenda. After becoming part of a great game being followed in the world, they had succeeded in getting the Chinese president’s visit to Pakistan postponed.

He paid rich tributes to the people of Pakistan as they did not become part of the civil disobedience movement launched by Imran Khan.The PML-N Senator said that the abusive language used during the 34-day sit-ins had not been used in the 68-year history of the country.

He also paid homage to the opposition parties for siding with the government in saving democracy and the Constitution.He said that rigging and Model Town tragedy were not part of their agenda. He said Dr Qadri came to the federal capital in 2012 but he returned after minting a lot of money.

Senator Mushahidullah expressed his belief that conspiracies against democracy and parliament will die down and the so-called champions of revolution and independence will have to bite the dust.“Imran Khan and Dr Tahirul Qadri are carrying forward the hidden agenda of their foreign masters to ruin the country’s economy and are misguiding innocent people in the name of a ‘new Pakistan’ and a revolution,” he said.

Senator Mushahidullah Khan said the entire parliament is united for its supremacy and democracy despite all of political differences and it is a clear message for all those conspiring against parliament and democracy.He said despite the fact that dictators hanged or killed political leaders, they remained alive in the form of their followers and parties. “But dictators have been forgotten long ago,” he said.

He said today once again conspiracies are being hatched against parliament and democracy openly or secretly. “But the conspirators must know that they will fail. No one will be allowed to cast an evil eye on parliament and it will stay intact and continue to function,” he added.

He said, “Sit-ins and protests are an eyewash as there is a hidden agenda of these two leaders who have mistaken parliament for a cricket ground.”

The senator said if every institution of the country starts working within their constitutional jurisdiction, there will be no problem in the country. If columnists start politicking and politicians start writing articles and if other institutions start conspiring against democracy, it will worsen the situation, he said.

He said these so-called leaders should learn a lesson from history and understand that whenever any force conspired against democracy, parliament and politicians survived.

He alleged that Dr Qadri is inciting innocent people in the name of Model Town killing. “But I say that whenever a genuine investigation of that incident is held, Qadri himself will be found involved in the incident because it was part of the plan to derail democracy.”

He said, “People have rejected the demands of Imran Khan regarding non-payment of bills, civil disobedience and submission of remittances through Hundi and for this we salute Pakistanis living within the country and abroad.”

Mushahid said both Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri have received money for all this drama from their foreign masters and its plan was chalked out at secret meetings within the country and abroad.

He also objected to the language used at the sit-in and asked what message they are sending to the youth of this country. They are victims of their ambitions and are least bothered that they have caused billions of losses to the national economy.

He said their focus was to ruin the economy and hamper the visit of Chinese president wherein the agreements of billions of dollars were to be signed, he added.He said the political leadership deserves appreciation for showing unity for the sanctity and dignity of the parliament.

While expressing resentment over lingering and result-less negotiations among Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and the government, Senator Saleh Shah said a tribal jirga could resolve the issue within a week.

Senator Shah said the issue of sit-ins should be resolved as soon as possible as country’s leadership and democracy were being disgraced by Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri.

Lauding patience and political acumen of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and opposition to deal with sit-ins, he said all parties were unanimous to protect democracy and constitution.

Criticising PTI chairman Imran Khan for using derogatory language against political leaderships of the country, he said dirty talk must be avoided. “Government must take care of internally displaced persons (IDPs),” he said.

Abdul Rahim Mandokhel of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) said the nation and political parties were united for protecting the constitution of the country. He said the parliament being the supreme body will protect the constitution as well as the rights of the people.

He rejected allegations of rigging in 2013 general elections and said the demands of those staging sit-ins for resignation of prime minister are not democratic and constitutional.

He said the army should not be dragged into politics as it has no links with the current political turmoil.

Rashid Godail of the MQM called for early resolution of current crisis saying it is adversely affecting the economy.He said Pakistan Army is engaged in war against terrorism and we should all stand behind it. He said more provinces should be created and local bodies system enforced for bringing prosperity in the lives of the people.

Ayaz Soomro of the PPP said attacks on the national institutions amount to attack on the whole nation.He said those having contradiction in the words and deeds cannot be the leaders of the poor people.

He said the conspiracies of protesting leaders against the constitution and the system stand exposed before the nation. He said PTI and PAT will get nothing from the sit-ins except failure and disappointment. He said negotiations should be continued with the two parties for amicable solution of the matter.

Disgruntled legislator of the PTI Nasir Khan Khattak said the House should pass a resolution to condemn those elements whose acts led to the postponement of the Chinese president’s visit. He said today China and India are writing a new chapter in their relations while Pakistan appears to be standing alone in the world.

He said the parliament should send a message through resolution that Pakistan values its relations with its old and time tested friend China and looks forward for the visit of the Chinese President.

During the debate, the parliamentarians continued expressing their support to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and dubbed Imran Khan and Dr Qadri conspirators against democracy.

Senator Saleh Shah criticised Imran for using derogatory language against the political leaderships of the country.He said “dirty talk” must be avoided. “Perhaps Imran wants to introduce a new leadership in his new Pakistan by discrediting the existing leadership,” he added.

Ayaz Soomro of the PPP said parliament stands with Prime Minister Nawaz and will not allow anyone to seek the resignations of the prime minister.Rasheed Godil of the MQM asked MPs to listen to what the dharna stagers were saying and to resolve the issue.

The News

Talking to a private TV channel, he apologised over the act of the police torturing a private TV channel team and said that the First Information Report (FIR) of the incident would be launched.

The minister said the stances of the police and journalists were different over the incident which was the reason for delay in registering the FIR. The police were of the view that they were performing their duties when the sorry incident occurred, he said, adding it should not have happened.

The minister said right from the time when sit-ins were staged and the dialogue process was initiated, the government was of the view that the allegations levelled by Imran Khan publicly regarding rigging in the general elections should be included in the terms of references (TORs).

It would be up to the judicial commission to probe the allegations and the government would accept the report of the commission in this regard, he added. The minister was of the view that all the parties had agreed on electoral reforms. However, if Imran Khan had some better suggestions in this regard then the PML-N would be in favour of those suggestions.

He said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had lodged 59 complaints in election tribunals of which more than 70 percent had been disposed of. The judiciary was independent as the same had given a verdict on their holiday to release PTI workers, he added.

The News

Two men disguised as PTI’s workers beat up SAMAA’s cameraman Muhammad Tariq and broke his camera.

Reacting to the assault, Khan said that he would expel his workers if they were found involved in the violent attack. He paid tribute to media workers for their courageous coverage of heavy police shelling on anti-government protesters.

Speaking to SAMAA by phone, PTI’s senior leader Asad Umar also condemned the assault and pleded an internal inquiry.

He said that a disciplinary action would be initiated against PTI’s workers.

SAMAA TV

It is the second time that the Geo News TV building has been attacked in a fortnight by demonstrators of the Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT). Demonstrators pelted stones at the building, breaking a number of windows and also vandalized vehicles of the media.

Following this week’s attack, the PFUJ held a rally outside the Geo News TV building in Islamabad against the continued harassment of Geo News journalists and staff. Demonstrators who have been protesting against the Pakistani Government since August 14 have repeatedly harassed Geo News staff and other journalists and media workers from other outlets.

On August 30, demonstrators attacked the office of Geo News TV in Islamabad, pelting it with stones. Some stick-wielding protestors reportedly also attacked the satellite van of Geo News as the staff in the building struggled to escape.

The PFUJ said: “The political parties like PTI and PAT are using derogatory language against Geo, which is a direct attack on journalists.”

The PFUJ demanded that the government should take notice of the continuous stone pelting incidents on Geo News TV building in the capital.

The IFJ and the PFUJ have expressed ongoing concerns over the escalation of incidents of violence against journalists in recent days. The IFJ issued letters to Prime Minister Nawaf Sharif, PTI leader Imran Khan and PAT leader Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri condemning the violence against journalists and media.

The IFJ said: “The repeated attacks on Geo News clearly show that the anti-government demonstrators are intolerant to the media’s role in reporting these events and are resorting to unjustifiable undemocratic acts. Importantly, the attacks on Geo represent an attack on Pakistan’s media as a whole.”

The IFJ calls for all journalists, regardless of where they are employed, to condemn these assaults in the strongest way and for the media to stand in solidarity against to defend their right to report.

The IFJ has condemned these attacks on Geo News and called on the government and the leaders of the PTI and PAT to provide sufficient security and respect for the media while the demonstrations continue.

International Federation of Journalists

According to press reports, protesters belonging to Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) vandalised the premises of Geo TV, as well as Daily “The News” and Pakistan’s largest circulated Daily “Jang”. They smashed the windscreens of vehicles of staff parked there, and also damaged the security wall before entering the premises.

According to “The News” since the sit-ins of the PTI and PAT started in Islamabad on August 14, the team of Geo has been attacked many times. The attackers have struck at least 20 times during last one week at the Geo/Jang building and pelted stones, broken windows and damaged vehicles in its parking lot. A female reporter had also been threatened by some participants of the sit-in while another reporter’s mic was snatched during the coverage.

Afzal Butt, President of one faction of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned the incident and said if the police failed to provide security, then journalists, themselves, will protect their colleagues. He said the journalists also have the right to seek apology from Imran Khan and Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri for the attack on the Geo News office and the harassment of journalists, workers and staff members of Geo News, The News and Jang.

Ameen Yousuf, General Secretary of the other faction of PFUJ also strongly condemned the incident and said such violent acts should be stopped and adequate security be provided to media.

Pakistan Press Foundation

The demand was made through a resolution that was passed at the conclusion of a protest jointly held here by the Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) and National Press Club (NPC). It was largely attended by members of human and civil society organisations.

Addressing the participants of the protest, NPC President Shahrayar Khan said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Chief Dr Tahirul Qadri had been constantly inciting their workers that finally resulted in attacks on Geo News and PTV for which both of them should apologise to the workers of these organisations and the people as well.

The speakers who spoke on the occasion included NPC General Secretary Tariq Chaudhry, RIUJ President Ali Raza Alvi, RIUJ General Secretary Bilal Dar, Geo News Bureau Chief Rana Jawad, PTV MD Muhammad Mallick, cricket commentator Ehtashamul Haq, Waseem Farooq of the Punjab Union of Journalists, Farzana Bari and Naeem Mirza.

They said the workers of PTI and PAT attacked the Geo offices 25 times and its workers in the last 18 days and dozens of journalists were brutally tortured by the policemen in the Red Zone area that is really unfortunate in the country where every one talks about freedom of expression.

“The leadership of PTI and PAT and the interior minister should offer apology otherwise the journalists’ community would be left with no other option except to register cases against them. The journalists show the truth to the people so those who target and torture them are those who want to hide facts for their personal reasons,” they said.

Meanwhile, the journalists and members of the civil society organizations also attended the “Pro-democracy” camp set up in front of the National Press Club (NPC) and urged the government to immediately evolve a joint political strategy to get rid of a group of few thousand people who are making vandalism in Red Zone area and annihilating the image of Pakistan in the comity of nations.

The News