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Freedom of Expression

Access and exemptions: Right to information

A SPEAKER at a workshop was recently quoted as calling the right to information the mother of all rights. Pakistanis have taken their time to realise this basic principle and now when they are making an effort to access information as a right, there are fears they might end up with less than what they deserve. The proposed federal Access

Right to know: ‘Know your rights so no wrong is done by you’

KARACHI: Being responsible citizens and taxpayers, it is our right to know where our money is spent. Article 19A of the Constitution of Pakistan grants one the right to access information in all matters of public importance. The information can be used to support complaints regarding the operations of any public department to make a stronger case in the court

FIR against a TV channel

There is indeed no doubt about the fact that the freedom of press and freedom of information is the key to a healthy society as well as a healthy democracy A First Information Report (FIR) is a written document prepared by police organisations in Pakistan when they receive information about the commission of a cognizable offence. An FIR is an

Court moved against ban on journalists

ISLAMABAD: A petition has been filed against banning journalists’ entry into the special terrorism court in Islamabad on Wednesday. The petition was heard by Special Court Judge Attiqur Rehman in his chamber. The judge also summoned deputy attorney general as amicus curiae in the case. The petition was filed by Islamabad High Court Journalists Association.The counsel for journalists adopted a

Senate body approves ‘freedom of information law’ draft

ISLAMABAD: The Senate committee on information and broadcasting on Wednesday approved the draft of a much-awaited “Freedom of Information Law”. The committee finalised the draft after eight months of deliberations. It ignored reservations of the defence authorities. The draft was prepared by the ministry on the recommendations of a sub-committee headed by Farhatullah Babar, the President’s spokesman. It was decided

MQM workers manhandle their leaders, journalists

KARACHI: Charged workers of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) roughed up members of the coordination committee, some lawmakers-elect as well as some journalists during a telephonic address by party chief Altaf Hussain from London in the small hours of Sunday. With the media barred from covering the hooliganism, witnesses said certain MQM leaders had been beaten up and they had

Aaj TV’s offices evacuated due to bomb threat

The offices of Aaj TV channel across the country were evacuated after it received a bomb threat on Friday morning. The threat was made through a postal mail to television’s Islamabad bureau purportedly by Ghulam Mustafa who claimed that he and his associates had already abducted the son of former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. According to that letter, “Let

Criticise but do not manipulate, Altaf warns media

KARACHI: Criticising TV anchorpersons in a vehement tone, and accusing them of spreading outrageous propaganda against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), the party’s chief Altaf Hussain warned them of dire consequences. “You have the right to criticise, but not manipulate or spread lies against the sons of those who created Pakistan,” hesaid referring to mediapersons, in a telephonic speech to