“It is amazing that Pakistan is accommodating 3.5 million illegal Afghan immigrants; however, a journalist who mistakenly crossed the border was sentenced to four years in prison which is sheer injustice,” President Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists Afzal Butt said on Thursday.

The sentence was announced on July 13 and was imposed by a military court in the eastern province of Nangarhar. Khan, who works for the Karachi based TV station ARY News, was arrested by the Afghan authorities in Nangarhar in April after travelling to Peshawar, in north-western Pakistan, to interview Taliban leaders and suddenly losing contact with his colleagues.

The Pakistani media reported his arrest in Afghanistan on May 5. Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS) was subsequently said to suspect him of spying but no formal charge was brought against him. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) urged the Afghanistan and Pakistan governments to act urgently for the safe return of the journalist.

Reporters Without Borders and a Pakistani press freedom organization, Freedom Network, have condemned the four-year jail sentence that an Afghan court has imposed on Pakistani TV reporter Faizullah Khan for illegally crossing into Afghanistan while researching a story on the Taliban.

The South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) Afghan chapter has been contacted in Kabul seeking help in the release of the Pakistani journalist. However SAFMA’s in-charge in Kabul has called for a letter from SAFMA office-bearers in Pakistan. Information Minister Pervez Rashid urged Karzai to issue a presidential pardon.

“I appeal to Afghan president Hamid Karzai to use his powers to pardon Faizullah Khan,” Rashid said in a press conference in Islamabad.

Rashid said Pakistan was also using diplomatic channels for the release of its journalist. “Both the Ministry of Interior and the Information Ministry have been pursuing this matter from day one when he was arrested,” he added. Rashid said Pakistan respected Afghanistan’s judicial system and was appealing verdict in an Afghan court. For all the aid and succour Pakistan gives Afghans and Afghan refugees the Afghan government should release the harmless Pakistani journalist who was only doing his job.

Daily Times

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

The promise came as representatives of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society, Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Lahore Press Club and South Asian Free Media Association (Safma) along with print and broadcast journalists met at the South Asian Media Centre and passed a resolution.

The participants condemned the heinous attack on Hamid Mir and threats to other journalists, and the campaign launched by various quarters to harass media persons. Alarmed by increasing tension between the media and security establishment, they rejected any move to gag the media houses and journalists.

The resolution said they were encouraged by the response of the media, working journalists, civil society, political parties and international media community in solidarity with Hamid Mir and other journalists under threat.

It also expressed concerns over the rivalries among various media houses that undermined the freedom of expression and solidarity and security of the journalists’ community.Noting the concerns expressed by the ISPR about the allegations levelled by Hamid Mir’s family members and colleagues indicating the alleged suspects behind the attack, the Safma appreciated the appointment of a judicial commission by the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

It showed concerns about the current nominated structure of Pemra, which may be used to victimise one or other media groups. It called for caution and restraint from all sides to let the judicial commission and independent inquiry take its due course to a logical conclusion.

The resolution emphasised that right to life, freedom of expression, fundamental rights, accountability of all, observance of media ethics and security of journalists must be upheld and could not be compromised on any pretext whatsoever. Unity among all sections of media must be kept on issues like freedom of press/ expression and security of journalists, regardless of any kind of differences.

According to the resolution, restrictions and prohibitions on media and harassment of media persons is not to be condoned. A free media, independent judiciary, sovereign parliament and civil and political rights are the imperatives of modern-day nationhood, while civil-military and media-military relations are to be defined within the parameters of democratic values and constitutional framework.

The resolution demanded that an independent inquiry must be ensured and the judicial commission must investigate not only the Hamid Mir case but also all aspects of the conflict between media and security establishment to not only find the real culprits but also propose such measures as could ensure the security of journalists from various quarters. Findings of the judicial commission must be made public and implemented.

It further demanded that all media houses must observe media ethics and demonstrate solidarity on the issues of media freedom and security of media persons, instead of indulging in mudslinging against each other. The media must avoid casting aspersions against any segment of national institutions, while all state institutions must respect right to life and fundamental rights, including press freedom. No measures to curb press freedom will be acceptable to the media community, civil society and democratic forces.

Restraint and caution must be observed by all sides and no interference be allowed in the affairs of the media by various arms of the executive, it said, adding that media should evolve its code of ethics and observe it diligently and Pemra should be reconstituted making it a representative body.Prominent journalists including Imtiaz Alam, Hussain Naqi, Khawar Naeem Hashmi, IA Rahman and Arshad Ansari spoke on the occasion.

The News

A special meeting joint meeting was held here at Arts Council on Tuesday with its General-Secretary Amir Mehmood and president Sawm Khursheed Haider chaired the session.

The members belonging to both the print and electronic media widely condemned the attack and called upon the journalists’ community to get united to fight with full force with the elements who are hell bent upon crushing the true voice of journalists.Speaking on the occasion Amir Mehmood said that Safma has always raised the voice from its platform irrespective to which organisation the person is belonged.

The meeting denounced all sort of terrorism on any person specially the journalists who were being killed in line of duty and are being threatened by certain elements.Amir said we all have respect for the institutions of the state but said that many journalists still receiving threats from some organization which should be checked and the government should adopt measures to bring the culprits to the book.

In the past too many commissions were constituted but the reports were not made public and even the journalists did not receive any result of the commission.Shaheen Qureshi, The Editor Jang Lahore who was specially invited for the special session opined that due to the lack of unity amongst our rank, these forces are united against silencing the voice of journalists.

Its not only the media houses who rules over the divided community but we ourselves enemies of our friends, we have to draw a line and not become part of any such conspiracies as it would not benefit us but eventually it would help media house and ultimately the sufferers would be the journalists community.

Today Mir was attack, tomorrow anybody from us would get the same fate, but we should seriously formalised a policy to get rid of such kinds of threats and warnings.The resolution passed on the occasion said: “We condemn this senseless violence against brave journalists like Hamid Mir. This is another incident of journalists being targeted for speaking the truth. Freedom of expression is really under attack.”

“We demand of the government to probe the attack. We also demand of the authorities that journalists be provided adequate security so that they could perform their duties without any fear. These attacks will continue until the government tackles journalist’s safety as an issue for all Pakistan society and its right to freedom of expression,” he said.

Prof Tauseef Ali Khan of Federal Urdu University said that the parliament should bring a legislation and constitute a policy that would ensure safety of journalists and it also avoid categorising the media houses on the basis of their popularity graph and ranking as this community is above all such sorts of pressures as it is their duty to inform to the people.

Mujahid Barelvi, a senior journalists and anchorperson, said that it was very ironic that “we journalists are divided and the benefit goes to the owners. Therefore it is the need of the hour that we must ask our bosses to draw a clear policy with regard to this profession”.

Khursheed Abbasi, another senior journalists belonging to the Jang Group, was quiet cynical that policies of our media houses have divided the community and urged upon the Safma to play its role in bringing journalists at platform.

Pakistan is one of the deadliest countries in the world for journalists with killings and attacks journalists rife since the beginning of 2014. Six journalists have already been murdered in 2014 and death threats and intimidation continue to mar the nation’s media landscape under a climate of impunity.

The News

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

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

In the resolution passed on Friday, journalists and other media representatives said that intolerance for diverse points of views had a bearing on media freedom and quality journalism. They said that edicts and threats continue to be hurled at the media and media persons, among them Alam, who also anchors a talk show on a private news channel.

“The targeted attacks and death threats are meant to create fear among the democratic intelligentsia and the media persons. It is more disturbing that the state is failing in its responsibility to protect citizens and its writ.”

Despite UN Security Council Resolution 1738 on the safety of journalists and several international resolutions on the protection of journalists, lives continue to have been lost in Pakistan in the course of journalists doing their jobs, they said in a statement.

“Last year, 10 journalists have been killed in connection with their work in Pakistan. Courtesy these killings, Pakistan has made it to the shameful club of the world’s five deadliest countries for the media,” the statement read.

“We urge the media associations to take joint stand on acts of violation of and threats to media rights and freedom of expression. Attack on one should be taken as an attack on all. It’s time that the state and the government of Pakistan fulfilled their responsibility to their citizens protecting their fundamental rights of freedom of information and freedom of expression guaranteed in the constitution.”

From: Sarmad Ali, Dr Jabbar Khattak, Arif Nizami, Imtiaz Faran, Irfan Saeed, Irshad Mastoi, Raza Rehman, Afzal Butt, Shehryar Khan, Tariq Chaudhary, Ali Raza Alvi, Arshad Ansari, Shahbaz Mian, Anjum Rashid, Khalid Chaudhary, Shafqat Mahmood, Dr Akmal Hussain, I A Rehman, M. Ziauddin, Zahid Hussain, Nazir Leghari, Husain Naqi, Aamir Mahmood, Tahir Rathore, Khalid Farooqi, Ayaz Khan, Shahzada Zulfiqar, Nusrat Javeed, Agha Nasir, Iftikhar Ahmed, Babar Ayaz, Shamim Shahid, Saleem Shahid, Ghazi Salahuddin, Mujahid Barelvi, Irfana Mallah, Jehangeer Aslam, Ghulam Nabi Chandio, Syed Mumtaz Shah, Lala Asad, Khalid Khokhar, Fayyaz Naich, Amer Sindhu, Shoaib Adil, Saida Fazal, Munnoo Bhai, Ibrahim Shirwani, Asma Shirazi, Afzal Khan, Mustansar Javed, Rana Qaisar, Shamsul Islam Naz, Khushnood Ali Khan, Mehmal Sarfaraz, Khaled Ahmed, Allama Sidddiq Azhar, Dr Fauzia Naeem Khan, Waqar Mustafa, Ahmad Waleed, Tayyeba Bukhari, Sirmed Manzoor, Aaliya Shah, Kahkashan Farooq, Agha Iqrar Haroon, Qasim, Shahbaz Anwar Khan, Mushtaq Soofi, Afaq Syed, Abbas Rashid, Husain Naqi, Saida Fazal, Sami Abrahim, Farah Warraich, Arif Waqar, Khalid Qayyum, Latif Chaudhary, Shahzada Zulfiqar, Ahmad Shafiq, Imran Umar, Naeem Qaisar, Eijaz Bajwa, Farrukh Asef, Mahmood Iqbal, Qasim Saeed, Waseem Niaz, Imtiazul Haq.

(Daily Times endorses the above statement and fully stands in solidarity with all our media colleagues under threat – Rashed Rahman, Editor.)

Daily Times