LAHORE: While the autopsy report of Maria Golovnina, the Pakistan and Afghanistan Bureau chief for foreign news wire “Reuters,” strengthens the common belief that this terrorism-hit country has been a dangerous working place for foreign bureau chiefs, research shows that it has been equally unsafe for their local counterparts, a good number of whom have also died unnaturally in the line of duty.

On February 1, 2002 or some 13 years before Maria’s sad and unnatural demise, the globally-acclaimed Daniel Pearl, the South Asia Bureau Chief of the American newspaper “The Wall Street Journal,” was kidnapped and murdered in Pakistan too.

Here follow the names of some of the local bureau chiefs killed in Pakistan in recent times:On August 28, 2014, Irshad Mastoi, the bureau chief of “Online News” distribution agency was murdered in Quetta along with his two colleagues.

Mohammad Ismail, the Islamabad bureau chief for the “Pakistan Press International” was murdered in November 2006. His body was found near his home in Islamabad with his head completely smashed with a hard blunt object.

Faisal Qureshi, the Lahore Bureau Chief of the “London Post” was cruelly murdered in Lahore during October 2011.Syed Saleem Shahzad, the Pakistan Bureau Chief of “Asia Times Online” and Italian news agency “Adnkronos” was killed ruthlessly in May 2011.

A research conducted by the “Jang Group/Geo Television Network” reveals that professional journalists heading reputed media outlets have been killed at least since March 1914, when Henriette Caillaux (1874-1943), the second wife of a French Prime Minister Joseph Caillaux (1863-1944) had fatally shot Gaston Calmette (1858-1914), the Editor of the country’s leading newspaper “Le Figaro,” which had sold 56,000 copies in 1866 at its launch and had the highest circulation of any national newspaper of the time.

Henriette Caillaux had believed that Editor Calmette would further publish private letters that would demonstrate that Premier Joseph Caillaux and she had intimate relationships whilst he was still married to his first wife.

During her trial, Madame Caillaux said she made the decision to protect her beloved husband by sacrificing herself.At 5 pm on March 16, 1914, she had entered offices of “Le Figaro,” wearing a fur coat— in which she was hiding a pistol.

The killer lady had fired six shots, critically wounding editor Calmette, who had succumbed to his wounds just six hours later.Henriette Caillaux had made no attempt to escape and newspaper workers in adjoining offices quickly summoned a doctor and the police. She had insisted on being driven to the police station by her chauffeur in her own car, which was still parked outside. The police agreed to this and she was formally charged upon reaching the headquarters.

However, on July 28, 1914, a strong belief that women were not as strong emotionally as men had resulted in her acquittal by a local Paris court.(References/sources: Kershaw Alister’s book “Murder in France” and Edward Berenson’s book “The Trial of Madame Caillaux”)

Meanwhile, the offices of top newspapers have been attacked since October 1, 1910, when “The Los Angeles Times” building in Los Angeles city (California) was bombed, resulting in the killing of 21 newspaper employees.

Quite recently in January 2015, Stephane Charbonnier, the editor of the French satirical magazine “Charlie Hebdo,” was killed along with his 11 colleagues in a Paris shootout.

In 2003, Michael Thomas Kelly, a magazine editor for US media outlets “The New Republic,” the “National Journal” and “The Atlantic” was the first US journalist to be killed while covering the invasion of Iraq.

He had also worked for “The New York Times,” a columnist for “The Washington Post” and “The New Yorker.”Top television anchors too have borne the brunt of investigating what they “should not” have!

For example, in November 1965, a New York journalist and popular game show panelist Dorothy Kilgallen was mysteriously killed in the United States.By 1950, Dorothy’s column was running in 146 papers, and had garnered a whopping 20 million readers!

Each broadcast of her weekly TV show “What’s My Line?” was seen by 25 million viewers for 15 years in a row.This show would feature a celebrity guest, for whom the panelists were blindfolded. She was reportedly investigating into the November 1963 murder of US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

Just days before her mysterious demise, she had confided to her cameraman that she was all excited about going to New Orleans to meet a source whom she did not know, but would recognize.The CIA had 53 field offices around the world watching her on her foreign travels. During her autopsy, a pink liquid was found in her stomach but was never analyzed.

The News

The organization also noted serious concerns about the fairness of the trial.

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) sentenced in absentia Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, owner of Geo TV and its parent Jang Media Group, actress Veena Malik, her husband Asad Bashir and TV host Shaista Wahidi, to 26 years in prison each for airing a “contemptuous” programme.

Geo TV has a tense relationship with Pakistani authorities and was earlier this year temporarily taken off air following the blasphemy allegation.

“This sentence will have a chilling effect on freedom of expression in Pakistan. It is appalling that someone should be sent to prison for decades over a TV programme,” said David Griffiths, Amnesty International’s Deputy Asia Pacific Director.

“This judgment shows how Pakistan’s deeply flawed blasphemy laws have become another tool to silence media.

“There are also serious concerns about the fairness of this trial as the defendants were sentenced in absentia and never had the opportunity to answer the charges in court.”

The ATC also fined the four convicts 1.3 million Pakistani rupees (USD 12,800) each.

The blasphemy charges relate to a programme aired by Geo TV in May this year, when Malik and Bashir re-enacted their wedding ceremony with a Qawaali, devotional music sung to dictate the life and teachings of Prophets, which concerned the marriage of Fatima Zahra, daughter of Prophet Muhammad, with his cousin, Ali.

Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman is based outside Pakistan, while Malik and Bashir have fled the country after receiving death threats when the blasphemy allegations were first levelled against them. Malik told Amnesty International that she fears for her life if she returns to Pakistan.

Pakistan’s blasphemy laws violate international human rights law and standards. Amnesty International urges the government to reform the laws as a matter of urgency to provide effective safeguards against their abuse, with a view to their eventual repeal.

“Although the blasphemy laws are disproportionately used against religious minorities, today’s sentencing underlines the fact that no one in Pakistan is safe from being targeted,” said David Griffiths.

“The death threats against Veena Malik and Asad Bashir show how even an accusation of blasphemy could lead to the threat of violence. Authorities should do more to protect those at risk of violence – not fuel the fire by using blasphemy laws to settle political scores.”

Geo TV has been locked in a standoff with Pakistani authorities since its main anchor, Hamid Mir, in April this year accused the spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of being behind an assassination attempt on him.

On 6 June this year, the governmental body Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) suspended Geo TV’s license for 15 days over the blasphemy allegation. PEMRA imposed a similar ban on another private TV station, ARY TV, on 20 October for “maligning” the country’s judiciary.

“The Pakistani authorities must end their attempts to harass critical voices in the media into silence.

“Instead of trying to control media outlets and journalists, the Pakistani authorities should do more to protect them so they can carry out their work freely and without intimidation and harassment,” said David Griffiths.

Amnesty International

These claimants of democracy and the rule of law harassed and manhandled fourth the pillar of democracy to stop them for the objective coverage of the sit-ins. The wrath of these party workers was not limited to only one channel or one gender, but they also harassed a woman journalist, and attacked at least one dozen journalists and supporting staff, besides harming their vehicles and equipment.

The journalists who were harassed and manhandled by the workers of opposition as well as a ruling party, belonged to Aaj TV, ARY News, Geo TV and Samaa TV. These sad attacks on journalists have raised eyebrows of the community across the country and internationally.

It is a widely acknowledged fact that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) sit-in would have tapered off had the media not been giving extensive coverage to the party chairman’s speeches daily that often ended late evening.

The angry workers are at a loss to understand that the working journalists have to cover and report the issues and events irrespective of what different sections of society may or may not like to read or watch. More importantly the political actors need journalists as much to tell their stories as do the journalists to report such stories. Media plays a crucial role in shaping a healthy democracy. It is the backbone of a democracy. Media makes people aware of various social, political and economical activities happening around the world. It is like a mirror, which shows or strives to show the truth and harsher realities. If media persons close their eyes the government officials will openly do what they want.

First of all to confront a harsh situation was Geo TV as their reporters Azaz Syed, Arshad Waheed, Farhat Jabeen (a woman journalist) and Saif-ur-Rehman and cameramen Shabbir Ahmed and Khurram Shehzad while covering the sit-in on 16th August came across an unfriendly crowed of PTI. The same crowed had given a warm welcome to the reporters and supporting staff of ARY News channel that day, as they thought that channel was giving them their desired coverage.

A PTI activist, Gulfam Khan Pathan, a joint secretary of union council of Hamsheerian district Mansehra of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province had said that since their leader Imran Khan had boycotted Geo TV therefore its staff deserved the treatment.

The chief coordinator of PML-N, Siddiq Farooq, at that time termed the manhandling of the TV team ‘undemocratic attitude’.

Jang group has yet claimed that as many as eight reporters, cameramen and drivers had been assaulted by the workers of PTI recently.

Khan, who had in his speeches unintentionally instigated his charged workers against Jang group, condemned after a couple of days on 18th August, the attacks by his workers on Geo reporters.

Geo TV’s digital satellite news gathering (DSNG) van once again came under attack on 21st August right after two days of Khan’s condemning such act by PTI workers. The woman reporter, Farhat Javed, and other media staff were sitting in the van to cover the latest situation of the sit-in. However, due to the attack they had to flee to their office without performing their duties.

Not only opposition marchers were among the attackers but supporters of ruling party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had their share also in adding another incident of ‘undemocratic attitude’. Babar Malik of ARY News was attacked by a group of political activists on 21st while covering the Pakistan Muslim League-N rally brought out by its local leaders. The journalist said: “First the angry activists abused the television channel and its anchors and then they started beating me. Although I was not injured seriously, I suffered various bruises.”

The victim demanded the government to provide security to the on-duty journalists as they cannot perform duties under such hostile circumstances.

A Samaa TV crew was also harassed on 24th August at the march by workers who also confiscated their footage.

Aaj TV team was attacked by PTI workers who were managing security arrangements of the demo outside the Parliament House on 24th October. They demanded to check the channel’s DSNG and on denial they climbed the van and roughed up the reporters and support staff. At least four crew members from Aaj News including DSNG engineer Iqbal, cameramen, Usmaan, Iqbal and Samaarat were attacked.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) at ‘Pro-democracy’ camp on 25th August had deprecated the undemocratic acts of what it called ‘container politicians’ to attack journalists and said that such sit-ins had put an adverse effect on the national economy and paralyzed the capital city including its educational institutes.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has also called on all sides to respect the role of journalists and media workers. “We note that the organizers of the ‘Freedom March’ have condemned these attacks but they must do more to control their supporters and ensure the safety of journalists covering the protests,” said CPJ Deputy Director Robert Mahoney.

Pakistan Press Foundation

“We note that the organizers of the ‘Freedom March’ have condemned these attacks but they must do more to control their supporters and ensure the safety of journalists covering the protests,” said CPJ Deputy Director Robert Mahoney. “Whatever message demonstrators are trying to convey, it’s unlikely that beating reporters and news crews is going to do the job.”

At least four crew members from Aaj News, including digital satellite news gathering engineer Iqbal, cameramen Usmaan, Iqbal, and Samaarat, (identified by single names only) were beaten today by workers from the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party while covering a speech by PTI leader Imran Khan during a sit-in in the capital Islamabad, the private news channel reported. The four were treated in hospital for minor injuries, reports said.

Journalist and International Press Freedom awardee Umar Cheema, who has documented the attacks, told CPJ by email that those involved were PTI workers. News broadcasts showed the attackers wearing orange jackets that identified them as official workers who had been brought in to manage the march.

In recent days, tens of thousands of demonstrators have participated in the demonstration, which has traveled from Lahore to Islamabad, and was organized by the PTI and the anti-government cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri. The protesters are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over allegations of electoral fraud.

A Samaa TV crew were also harassed at the march by workers who confiscated their footage on Sunday after covering claims that a woman was harassed at the sit-in, according to news reports and tweets by Gharidah Farooqi, a journalist with the private news channel.

In a separate incident, journalist Babar Malik from the private news channel ARY News, was beaten by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supporters on Thursday while covering a rally that PML-N had organized to show solidarity with Sharif, according to reports. Local PML-N leaders Hanif Abbasi and Ziaullah Shah helped rescue Malik, who was bruised but not seriously injured during the attack in the Faizabad area of Rawalpindi. The news channel said he was attacked for having reported on the opposition rally.

Between August 15 and 16, several journalists and media workers from the privately owned Geo TV were also assaulted or harassed while covering the PTI-led rally, according to news reports and Cheema.

Along the route of the march a crowd began kicking and striking a Geo digital satellite news gathering van with batons while staff, including reporters Arshad Waheed and Farhat Jabeen, were inside. They warned the crew they would set fire to the vehicle if they did not leave the area within 10 minutes, according to reports.

Demonstrators snatched a mic from Geo reporter Azaz Syed when he was about to go on-air while covering the event from the Zero Point interchange in the capital, Islamabad. The demonstrators then surrounded Syed and forced him to flee, according to reports.

PTI party workers attacked Saif-ur-Rehman, another Geo journalist, forcing him to flee. As Rehman set up his mic, which displayed a logo for Geo TV, a group of men approached him from behind. One of them pounced on him and started yelling: “Get lost. You work for the traitor channel,” Cheema told CPJ. GEO TV cameraman Shabbir Ahmed had his camera broken by PTI workers and another cameraman, Khurram Shehzad, was beaten and had his equipment damaged, according to reports.

The PTI condemned the attacks on journalists and Khan apologized, according to news reports and the International Federation of Journalists. But The News International reported that Khan had criticized Geo News and the Jang group, Pakistan’s largest newspaper company, during a speech on Saturday night, saying: “You are making propaganda against me.”

In a separate incident, unidentified men who appeared intoxicated, attacked an ARY News team in Rawalpindi along the rally route from Lahore to Islamabad on August 14, according to the news channel. PTI party workers intervened and helped lead the crew, who have not been named, to a safer location. A driver for the channel, who was not named in news reports, was taken to a hospital to be treated for head injuries.

Committee to Protect Journalists

The attack and shootout in April this year, left Mir, seriously injured. Mr. Hamid Mir, one of Geo TV’s most famed anchor-persons has directly accused the ISI chief for the attack and conspiracy to assassinate him and to silence any critique of the ISI or its agents.

Although Geo TV has tendered an official apology several times, following the airing, reports revealed that the ISI forced the hand of both the PEMRA and the Ministry of Defence to take punitive actions against Geo TV, and to send out a powerful message that no criticism of the ISI nor any of its agents will be tolerated in Pakistan.

The AHRC has learns that, the regulatory body PEMRA, under virtual coercion by the ISI , has taken the decision to close down Geo TV with only members from government being called by the PEMRA’s Chairperson and just hours before the announcement of the ban.

The AHRC notes with concern that this issue is seen as a serious threat to media freedom in Pakistan by the Government, the army and the intelligence agencies. According to reports, Geo TV and its sister channels have been taken off air by cable TV operators, under pressure from the military, that four of the company’s vehicles were burned in different stations across the country and that a journalist, has been beaten up by unidentified assailants in the city of Multan in central Pakistan, even before Friday’s ban was announced.

Further, the federal minister of Defence in a televised interview had issued a warning to all media institutions in the country, threatening that if any person or institution found maligning the armed forces would be strictly dealt with. He had added further that the punishment meted out to Geo TV was not severe enough. The attacks on media and press freedom had escalated to highest proportions following these recent events that other government Ministers too, have been reported to have baselessly criticised media institutions in reporting the recent attacks on the Karachi airport, for exposing the weaknesses and failures of the military and the government authorities in handling these terrorist attacks.

The deterioration of media freedom in Pakistan is fast transforming into a deeper crisis as the judiciary too has been reported to have joined the intelligence services and the government military and intelligence apparatus in restricting media freedom in Pakistan. In another incident a Judge of the Islamabad High Court, a well-known vigilante for his affiliation with fundamentalist groups and was had been biased in favour of killing of the former governor of Punjab on blasphemy, has banned an anchor-person, Mr. Mubashir Luqman, from yet another TV channel in Pakistan, the ARY TV, from conducting any programmes on air due to him exposing to a fraudulent land deal by a wife of a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

The attacks on media freedom in Pakistan do not end here. According to sources, the Pakistan government is in the process of drafting a code of conduct for the media which will drastically limit the space and scope of freedom of expression. The code of conduct declares that no media house will be allowed to criticize the armed forces and their intelligence agencies without prior confirmation and worse will not be allowed to criticize any decisions of the courts.

The freedom of expression in Pakistan is in a perilous state and continues to worsen every day, by constantly being under government’s close watch , by constant military interference and by constant threats by the intelligence services. No criticism, even credible allegations against any of these government establishments are met with heavy reprisals against the media.

The fragile state of the country’s media freedom is further demonstrated by the constant harassment of journalists, which even go beyond harassment and take their lives. Publications are being constantly censored, websites are being blocked, and legislation is being passed in total disregard of all fundamental rights.

Legislations such as the Official Secret Act of 1923 and other blasphemy laws have generated much disgust among the people of Pakistan. Pakistan’s Constitution enshrines in Article 19 the freedom of speech and expression – which the state has miserably failed to uphold. Pakistan is also obliged under Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [ICCPR] to ensure freedom of expression and speech – none of which is presently being followed by the Pakistan government. Article 19 of the ICCPR also makes it mandatory for the countries to guarantee the undiluted freedom of expression even during times of war or war like conditions.

In this backdrop the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) urges the government of Pakistan to ensure and respect the very constitutional guarantees of freedom expression and speech to all citizens. We also urge the government of Pakistan to adhere to its international obligations and to actively desist any moves by the military and its intelligence agents to curb the freedom of expression and speech in Pakistan.

The AHRC urges the government to restore the three channels of Geo TV immediately and guarantee freedom of expression for the media institution, order PEMRA to have a credible, transparent and democratic process in all its regulatory functions, take disciplinary action and conduct an impartial inquiry on the conduct of Justice Shoukat Siddiqui, judge of Islamabad high court for usurping the right of freedom of expression of journalist/anchor-person Mubashir Luqman – with immediate effect.

Asian Human Rights Commission

Zafar Aheer, an editor of the Urdu-language Daily Jang, was returning home from work on Sunday when six armed men on two motorcycles and in a car surrounded his vehicle, news reports said. The assailants beat Aheer, confiscated his mobile phone, and fired around his car before fleeing, the reports said. The editor was bruised on his face and shoulders, according to reports.

Aheer told BBC Urdu that the assailants said those who worked for Jang group were traitors, Jews, and agents for India’s intelligence agency. He said he had received death threats recently in connection with his affiliation with the Jang media group, reports said.

Daily Jang, part of the Jang media group, is headed by Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, who also serves as the top executive at Geo TV. Rahman’s media outlets have come under increased fire since Geo TV broadcast allegations that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence was responsible for the assassination attempt on Hamid Mir, one of its anchors. Geo has also been facing pressure from religious conservatives for airing a daytime show that clerics allege was blasphemous, according to reports.

Police said they are investigating the attack.

“How much longer do Pakistani journalists have to walk in fear that anyone with a political agenda or grudge can have them beaten or killed without consequences?” said CPJ Deputy Director Robert Mahoney. “The authorities must launch a thorough investigation into the attack on Zafar Aheer and ensure that both the assailants and those who sent them are held to account. Anything less will further endanger already vulnerable journalists, including those who work for Geo TV Network and the Jang Group.”

CPJ signed a joint letter with other press freedom and human rights groups on Thursday that called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to follow through on commitments he made to CPJ in March to address anti-press violence.

Committee to Protect Journalists

On the other hand, Sargodha’s sessions’ court reserved verdict until June 7 on a petition filed against 20 TV channels, the information and broadcasting minister, Pemra officials and cable operators.

Moreover, petitions have been filed with the Gujranwala district and sessions judge and Sialkot DPO to register cases against ARY Chief Executive Salman Iqbal, Mubashar Lucman, Haji Jan Muhammad, ARY director Muhammad Iqbal, director Muhammad Mehboob, director Anwar Maqsood, Dunya TV Chief Executive Mian Amir Mehmood, Samaa TV CEO Naveed Siddiqui, Express News CEO Sultan Ali Lakhani, Amjad Sabri, Zaki Zaman and others.

District and Sessions judge Syed Tauqir Bokhari will hear the petition today (Thursday). A petition against the TV channels was filed by a citizen Prof Shahid Mehmood in Sialkot. In a village of Sargodha, Fatima Jinnah Colony; a resident Muhammad Ilyas Qadri filed a petition against the information minister, Pemra officials, cable operators, ARY, Express, Dunya News, Samaa TV, Aab Taak TV and Geo TV owners and others in the sessions’ court.

In Mianwali, on a petition filed by local trader Falak Sher Awami, a case was registered against ARY CEO Salman Iqbal, anchorperson Mubashar Lucman, anchor Nida Yasir, Amjad Farid Sabri qawwal, Samaa TV CEO, Dr Shaista Lodhi, Veena Malik, Asad Bashir Khattak and other responsible persons of Geo on the orders of district and sessions judge Sohail Ikram.

On court orders, a case was registered against Geo in Jaranwala while orders were issued for registering a case in Burewala. In Sahiwal, a court disposed of a petition against Geo, directing the police to register a case if the applicant is aggrieved otherwise if allegations are not proven then legal action should be taken against the applicant.

The News

“I don’t find any reasons whatsoever not to sit on the bench,” Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja concluded after dictating a longish order justifying why he should continue hearing a case where Geo TV, through their counsel Akram Sheikh, asked the court to intervene and stop a ‘hate campaign’ which has been launched against it.

“It is the conscience that determines whether a judge should sit and hear a case,” Justice Khawaja explained, adding that courts and judges never succumb to scurrilous and defamatory remarks made against them.

Mubasher Lucman, who hosts the ‘Khara Such’ programme on ARY News, alleged in his show on Wednesday night that Justice Khawaja was related to Mir Shakilur Rehman, the owner of Jang/Geo group.

On Thursday, Sabir Shakir, the head of ARY News’ Islamabad bureau, appeared before the three-judge Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Khawaja and conveyed Lucman’s message.

Admitting that Mir Shakilur Rehman’s sister was married to his brother, Justice Khawaja said, “I do not recall when I last met him. It may have been 16 or 20 years ago at a wedding which I do not even remember.”

Video clips from the show in question were also viewed in court. Following the viewing, Justice Khawaja cited the code of conduct for judges prescribed by the Supreme Judicial Council, the SC judges’ oath of office and the Holy Quran, explaining that these guidelines expect judges to act fairly, justly and impartially, even if they are hearing cases involving their own relatives. These provisions do not bar a judge from hearing cases unless there is a demonstrable cause. “No such cause exists in this case,” the judge said.

Justice Khawaja also quoted the 2013 judgment in the case of former president and retired general Pervez Musharraf, in which it was held that judges do encounter allegations of bias and also receive criticism; some of which may be expressed in civil language, while others may undertake hate speech or outright vilification.

In either case, the judge by training does not allow such vilification to cloud his judgment in a judicial matter. Even extremely derogatory language used against judges does not, by itself, create bias.

Referring to comments made by Karachi-based financier Aqeel Karim Dhedhi in Lucman’s show where he refers to the relationship between the two men, Justice Khawaja observed that the comments may have been made in good faith.

However, such views could have been vetted before being aired, or in the case of a live telecast, it should have been ascertained whether the interviewee was aware of his liabilities under Article 19 of the Constitution.

But the court clarified that it would not embark on an inquiry, as this matter fell into the remit of the regulatory authority, i.e. Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, which should ensure that the provisions set out in Articles 19 and 19A of the Constitution were being strictly adhered to.

All litigants, at times, attempt to avoid hearings before certain benches. However, sometimes their motives are not benign and there may even be attempts to intimidate or malign in order to undermine judges or institutions of the state, he observed.

Justice Khawaja also cited examples of cases where attempts were made to defame him during proceedings. “If judges do not deal firmly with such remarks (where unfounded), this may encourage unscrupulous or uninformed elements into saying things which may erode the standing, respect and credibility of the court,” he maintained.

Dawn

Speaking to The News here, the Liberal Democrats leader said that any individual being attacked in unacceptable but Hamid Mir’s case is important because it highlights threats to investigative journalists in Pakistan and other South Asian countries. The veteran politician said: “One of the basis premises of a civilised society is that people have freedom of expression and with this it’s not just the people’s ability to speak and write and practise your faith but it’s also the freedom for journalists to write and speak and to broadcast.”

He condemned attack on Hamid Mir and said that it was shocking that a journalist of Hamid Mir’s stature was attacked. “I strongly condemn the attack on Hamid Mir. It’s unacceptable on any individual.

It’s doubly unacceptable in the political sense if the person is doing his job as a critical journalist like Hamid Mir. Politicians and governments don’t like being criticised but that’s no excuse for anyone to take law into their own hands and try to repress that criticism. The laws are there to make sure that people can speak freely, provided that they are respectful of other people’s faith and liberty. I hope the message is loud and clear. What happened is unacceptable and attack on Hamid Mir is regarded with great disfavour in the United Kingdom.”

He regretted that journalists and free media don’t have protections in Pakistan. “It’s increasingly the case in Pakistan and other countries that journalism is under attack and journalists are under attack and the impression we get here is that there is increasing pursuit of critical journalism in Pakistan and many parts of South Asian.”

Simon Hughes said that Britain stood in solidarity with the Jang and Geo against the onslaught the media group has faced in many forms. “This solidarity is from the international community. We must make sure that message from our government in the UK to is clear that its unacceptable. we must make sure that judiciary are strengthened to understand that they must act and punish those who are brought before them and most importantly the law enforcement agencies – the police, the secret services, the prosecution services – must hand down and find the responsible people.”

He said attacking journalists was an unacceptable behaviour and it has to be met by a very strong response otherwise there can’t be a pretence that Pakistan or any other country is a place of freedom where people can speak freely.

The Liberal Democrats MP said that investigative journalists are often a problem for the government but that’s not an excuse for the government to prevent them from going out and its very important in all countries that the press is free and able to be critical of the govt collectively and individuals in govt in particular. He said that the media be held accountable if they tell the untruths but the accountability doesn’t mean anything which muzzles freedom of press. “I hope that message is loud and clear that a country like Pakistan which has a huge population, has leadership in the commonwealth in the Sub-continent, we look to countries like that to set an example for others to follow. There is no hope for other countries in Asia if countries like Pakistan don’t allow journalists to be free.”

The News

Senators were intrigued over the process of bringing people on the roads and provoking them about a morning show by Geo entertainment channel. They wondered why the matter was not being put aside after the channel and its anchorperson had publicly apologised to the nation and, above all, sought forgiveness from Allah Almighty.

Leader of the Opposition Aitzaz Ahsan said he was ready to play his role in the constitution of a House committee to douse the raging fire among various media houses. The proposal to this effect was floated by PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar, who wanted the Senate to play its role in defusing the situation between the media groups.

Senators expressed their views on a joint motion moved discuss the political situation developed recently due to certain reasons.Senators saw the situation created against Geo and the Jang Group as the part of a larger conspiracy to derail the incumbent political system. They urged other TV channels to be mindful of the likely cubs on the freedom of expression in case, Geo was banned.

They were concerned over divisions among the TV channels and underlined the need for sorting out their differences to see media as a strong pillar of the State.PPP Senators Aitzaz Ahsan, Mian Raza Rabbani, Farhatullah Babar and Saeed Ghani alleged their party and leadership had been the main target of Geo and the Jang Group, but they were strongly against putting curbs on Geo.

They noted what the channel had shown immediately after the assassination bid on noted anchorperson Hamid Mir was totally wrong and improper but once the matter was taken by Pemra following the filing of a complaint by the Ministry of Defence, the situation should have eased out but instead, it was further allowed to escalate.

“I fear if things are let moving as they are. What will be the result? A lynch mob may torch a Geo van along with those on board one day. Only then the nation will be in shock and the anchors and religious people will say, they did not say anything wrong,” Aitzaz warned.He wondered how those sent notices by the courts would appear before the courts in the given situation with risks lurking around.

About other TV channels, Aitzaz said tomorrow they could also unintentionally make a mistake while referring to the Geo and Jang Group’s apology on the morning show. He wondered how anyone could say the doors of seeking forgiveness were shut while the Almighty is Ghafoorur Rahim and Rehmatulil Alameen is His Prophet.

“There must be no ban on Geo, otherwise there will be ban on the freedom of expression,” the veteran lawmaker maintained.He termed certain anchors as small pharaohs within themselves, who always looked to impose their opinion on their guests.

Aitzaz regretted that Pakistan was fast becoming lepers’ colony, curbs were being imposed, no cricket team or player was ready to visit Pakistan while businessmen wanted meetings abroad.

Earlier, opening the debate, Rabbani strongly warned against any bid to bring changes in the federal parliamentary system enshrined in 1973 Constitution and said all democratic and progressive forces had consensus thereon. He said Pakistan’s survival would be at stake as a Federation, if quasi presidential, dictatorial or technocrat or any form of system was imposed on the nation.

While referring to the military takeovers in the past, he said Pakistan was today a transformed country and gone are the days of forced and forged alliances. Similarly, he added that gone are the days of putting curbs on the media and regretted how differences are being fanned in the media.

He pointed out in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, urban Sindh and Punjab, religious militancy, sectarianism and intolerance was nurturing and by using name of Islam, political agenda was being furthered and said the security forces along could not face this challenge unless all political forces and the masses stood by them.

In case, political system was to be replaced with dictatorship, centralisation of power would take place, provincial autonomy and devolution process would be rolled back and the sense of deprivation that had been addressed to a certain degree would be back with more intensity.

He referred to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek rallies and protests after one year following the general election and said they also had their reservations about poll transparency but would never allow derailment of the system.

Rabbani said how the entire poll process was made questionable and the role of ex-CJ and the Election Commission was criticised in a systematic manner and now the media, which could be a check on the system and work as a watchdog, should not be subjected to any curbs.

He recalled how the general elections were made controversial and Pakistan National Alliance movement was launched and then given a religious turn, and if today the situation was carefully studied, things appeared to be moving on that direction and signs were ominous. Rabbani urged the democratic, political and progressive forces to have soul-searching as this time, not the Constitution but the Federation was at stake.

Farhatullah Babar pointed out that the situation being evolved after the controversial content on a Geo channel, with PTI and PAT taking to streets, and a the sane elements their serious reservations over the way DG ISI image was shown on Geo TV and hurling allegations at him was improper.

However, the senator said it was unfortunate that the allegation was hurled at an institution that had faced such allegations before at the Supreme Court, the Parliament and its committees and the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, and the same was levelled by a channel in a hurry that was totally wrong.

The senator was personally concerned over the media being at loggerheads with itself and said this way, the pillar would be weakened, and regretted some media houses were undermined by other rivals and hence were weakening themselves.

He thought some other media houses would come forward to sort out matters and added the House should not detach itself from the threats being posed to democracy and in the given situation; the Senate should play its role and the Leader of the House and the Leader of Opposition should form a panel to look into the matter.

“If things moved forward as they appear to be, the media may collapse, and then democracy would be under threat,” he cautioned.

Saeed Ghani and Abdul Rauf of PkMAP called for defusing the situation and letting the Pemra to decide on the complaint filed by the Ministry of Defence. Abdul Rauf regretted that some channels were waiting for shutdown of Geo so that they could increase their ratings.

Speaking on a motion, he moved, Senator Babar called for urgent revamping the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) in the light of the national sports policy adopted by the cabinet and duly endorsed by the Supreme Court SC and the recommendations of the sports federations and the Senate Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination, failing which, he said, a disturbing signal will be sent that a lone individual can hold to ransom the country’s institutions with impunity.

The House then unanimously adopted a resolution moved by him calling upon the government to uphold ‘at all cost’ the national sports policy. The resolution said: “This Hose calls upon the government to uphold the National Sports Policy, the decision of the cabinet, the verdict of the SC and the recommendations of the sports federations and the Senate committee in dealing with the matters of Pakistan Olympic Association. It further calls upon the government not to succumb to any pressure, intimidation and coercion, internal or external in implementing the sports policy in letter and spirit.”

Earlier, in their speeches, senators from both sides of the aisle, called for giving top priority to sports in the country, as space for playgrounds and stadiums was shrinking owing to commercial reasons and terrorism. Senator Kulsoom Perveen BNP-Awami referred to a cartoon, which appeared in Daily Jang on Monday about how PCB matters were being handled. Saeed Ghani said on the opposition of a political party, no one had the right to ban any channel.

The News