Karachi: Following a grenade attack at the office of a private television channel in Islamabad, Sindh IGP Ghulam Hyder Jamali issued directives on Thursday to ensure extraordinary security measures for the protection of offices of electronic and print media outlets, their staff and journalists.

According to a statement issued by the Sindh Police, the IGP has issued directives to ensure security for journalists, cameramen, photographers and other media workers in the province. He instructed that police mobiles and motorcycles should enhance patrolling in the areas where media houses are located. The IGP said security should be maintained to protect the lives of citizens and a report should be submitted on daily basis.

Safety of journalists remains a concern in Karachi as several attacks were witnessed over the past year as well. These included a two-day spree in September that claimed the life of a Geo News satellite engineer when one of the channel’s DSNG vans came under attack in Bahadurabad. The van driver had also suffered injuries in the attack.

A day later, a senior journalist, Aftab Alam, was fatally targeted in the city, and later that same month, another TV channel’s DSNG van was attacked, though no injuries were reported.

The News

The spokesperson said the present government is committed to the security of media houses and working journalists in the country and is taking all necessary steps to create a congenial atmosphere where media persons could perform their obligations in accordance with their professional requirements and without any fear, says a press release.

The spokesperson further said that Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Federal Minister for Information, has also written a letter to all the four chief ministers for provision of adequate security to media houses and working journalists.

He said the federal government, on its part, has constituted a committee to address all security related issues concerning media houses and working journalists.The committee has held four meetings so far and follow-up meeting would be held soon to further streamline the plan of action and to intensify measures regarding the provision of safety and security of the journalists.

The spokesperson said Pakistan is successfully fighting a war against terrorism and the whole world has acknowledged the sacrifices of Pakistan in the global war. “Instead of appreciating the efforts of Pakistan and its government against this menace, the allegations and objections of Reporters without Borders are unfortunate,” the spokesperson concluded.

The News

ISLAMABAD: The journalists staged a protest sit-in in front of the Parliament House on Tuesday against non-provision of security to the media houses with the government officials pledging the comprehensive arrangements would be made to ensure foolproof security of the journalists in their workplaces.

The protest sit-in, staged on the call of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), was attended by the members of various journalists associations including Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) and National Press Club (NPC).

Among others Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid, Opposition Leader in National Assembly Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah, former federal minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, former Balochistan chief minister Nawab Ghous Bux Barozai, Secretary Information Saba Mohsin and Principal Information Officer Rao Tehseen were also present on the occasion to show solidarity with the journalists.

Addressing the participants of the protest sit-in, Pervaiz Rashid said all demands of the journalists had been accepted by the government to provide foolproof security to the media houses. “The representatives of the journalists associations and the government officials will hold a meeting soon in which the modalities will be sorted out to furnish security plan for the media houses,” he said.

The minister said that now everyone supported the slogan “Attack on one, is attack on all’ because the government, the security institutions and the media were united against the terrorists who wanted to destabilise Pakistan. He said that media had been playing an important role in war on terror and a number of journalists even sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah said that the government should immediately take steps for security of the media houses and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) would stand with the journalists who are under threat from various elements. He said that the media had been playing an important role in war on terror and “I must salute to the services of the journalists who are pursuing their professional duties in the face of fear and threats.”

Qamar Zaman Kaira said that the journalists rendered sacrifices in the struggle for freedom of expression and always became target of those elements who did not want free and secure environment for the media industry.

PFUJ president Afzal Butt said unfortunately the time had come when the journalists who raised voice for the rights of the people were themselves not safe in their media houses. He said: “The culprits involved in murders of the journalists were not prosecuted due to which number of attacks on the media persons increased dramatically in the country.”

He said since year 2000, 111 journalists and media workers had lost their lives in the line of duty and statistically a journalist had died every 48 days in Pakistan for the past 15 years.

RIUJ President Ali Raza Alvi said the journalists were being attacked across the country and the government was playing the role of a silent spectator instead of taking measures for the security of the media houses.

RIUJ General Secretary Bilal Dar said that the media persons never ever compromised on their professional work and they were still fulfilling their duties in the face of grave threats.

NPC President Shahrayar Khan said that the government always made pledges for the security of the journalists but no steps were taken in this respect, adding “If the government will not fulfill its promises then we will again stage protest sit-in.”

NPC General Secretary Tariq Chaudhry said that the attacks on the media houses should also be a matter of concern for the government because it was its prime responsibility to provide security to the media houses.

The News

“The government itself conspired to attack PTV,” Qadri said. He accused that PML-N lawmaker Marvi Memon and PTV managing director were involved in the entire trespassing and encroaching of the PTV headquarters building.

Addressing his workers, the PAT chief accused the rulers of attacking the state-run TV. He alleged that employees of PTV were also involved in the attack.

“Why 2,000 policemen were removed from the PTV headquarter? Qadri questioned. He went on to ask who closed four closed circuit television cameras (CCTV) of PTV.

“An engineer who works at PTV has put off air transmission of the television,” Qadri said while talking about the engineer whose image was published by various newspapers to identify the attackers.

The PAT chief claimed that the government was planning to launch a crackdown against the sit-in participants.

“We will retaliate and teach the ruling regime a good lesson if the law enforcement agencies will use force against the peaceful protestors,” Qadri cautioned.

Qadri said that had the PAT workers stormed the PTV building the outcome would have been a total chaos. He said his party did not intend to destabilise the state institutions.

Criticising prevalent VVIP culture in the country, Qadri asserted that the ruling regime had fostered a culture of VIPs.

“The residential accommodations of the rulers are better even to the forts and palaces of the monarchs.”

He accused the ruling regime for exploiting the taxpayer’s money for their personal benefit and pleasure.

Qadri alleged that respect for the ruling regime could be judged by the fact that “the flood affectees at Sukkar stopped the car of the Sindh chief minister from visiting the affected areas”. Qadri also said, “A lady in Jhang pelted her slippers at the Punjab chief minister… Revolution march has empowered the people to stand firm in front of rulers.”

About the accomplishment of his mission, the renowned scholar reiterated his stance that revolution was approaching and the incumbent regime would soon be thrown out.

“Revolution began in courts and a lot more is to be done now,” he added.

Daily Times

Imran Khan was given life membership of the KPC some 22 years back as a sports person. Latif humbly requested Imran Khan to personally apologies with the aggrieved journalists and TV channels’ staff members on the unpleasant incidents.

A copy of the letter available with The News, said, “May this find you all well. Here is the Secretary Karachi Press who is addressing a life member of the Karachi Press Club (KPC), Pakistan’s oldest and most prestigious body of journalists. You are associated with this club for the last 22 years, and the KPC members had been proud of having you as its life member.

You are the only politician who is the life member of the KPC, although you had not been granted the life membership in the capacity of a politician but as a sportsman.Khan Sahib, what we are getting from your part nowadays is not at all a matter of pride or respect for yourself and the members of this prestigious Press Club. The way your workers have been misbehaving and manhandling reporters and cameramen during the coverage of your “Azadi March” in Islamabad is not merely damaging your reputation of being a fair sportsman, but also earning a bad name to the KPC.

You have been time and again making promises that your party would uphold the freedom of expression.However, I am disheartened to mention that in practice what we are seeing, is a stark contradiction to your words. Your workers are not only misbehaving and beating up male journalists, they do not spare even female reporters. Three female reporters of Geo News, Rifat Javed, Amna Aamir, and Iffat Rizvi were mistreated and harassed by your workers on separate occasions while they were covering your sit-in two weeks ago. Similarly, Aaj TV reporter, Nasir Kazmi, cameramen Mohammad Iqbal, Usman Gujjar, and other technical staff, Waqt TV reporter, Sajid Shah and cameraman, Atif Yousaf were beaten up and harassed by your workers on different occasion in last three weeks.

Scores of your supporters have been pelting stones at the building of Geo News Islamabad every day for over last one week. They smash vehicles parked outside the building, and hurl abuses on the staff.

I could have absolved you of this charge if these ugly incidents had taken place once or even twice. But, since it has become a routine affair, and you have neither prevented your followers from carrying out this hooliganism, nor condemned it, I am constrained to say that it is with your connivance that journalists are being harassed and media houses attacked.

Khan Sahib, let me tell you that it will not work. Such practices in the past, you may or may not be aware of them, have not benefited the culprits. The religious and political parties that had unleashed similar reign of terror against media in the past, had all finally surrendered. They only damaged their own reputation. Respecting voices of dissent is part of all civilized societies.

Khan Sahib, please do not let us down. You have a great following. Even various KPC members have a soft corner for you and your policies and they plead your case. But, the way your workers are portraying themselves, and consequently the PTI, it makes the journalists believe that there would be no place for dissenting voices in your “New Pakistan”.

Khan Sahib, we have nothing to do with your political ventures. It’s between you and the government. Our concern is how to protect the honour and the legacy of the KPC. We expect from a person of high esteem and calibre like you, not to let down the image and reputation of the KPC. We also expect that you would immediately ask your workers to show restrain, and refrain from attacking journalists and media houses.

Khan Sahib, it was very easy for us to set up a protest camp right in front of your sit-in to tell the world how your party is treating journalists. But we believe and expect that you will pay heed to our protest, in the interest of freedom of expression and the prestige of Karachi Press Club. We stand alongside constitution, and democracy, and are sure so do you and your party.

I am sure you will ask your workers to desist from attacking journalists and offices of TV channels that do not buy what you say because this is their fundamental right. I also expect from you to personally call the aggrieved reporters and cameramen and apologise on these unpleasant incidents”.

The News

According to reports out of Pakistan, police attacked media on Saturday, August 30, including journalists and staff from ARY News, News One, AbbTakk News, Dunya TV, Dawan News and JAAG TV at one of the demonstrations. Several were injured during the attacks. Police reportedly also pulled camera operators and other media workers from DSNG vans and beat them with batons. The IFJ has also heard that police allegedly smashed cameras and DSNG vans of several channels as well as journalists’ vehicles.

Also on August 30, anti-government demonstrators attacked the office of Pakistan’s leading TV channel Geo News in Islamabad. Protesters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) were on a march toward the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s House, when the crowd of angry demonstrators gathered outside the Geo News office, 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. No-one was hurt in the incident but the building was damaged in the onslaught.

Today, September 1, over 800 PTI and PAT protesters stormed the PTV building in the early afternoon, holding a number of staff hostage and forcing management to shut down the transmission of PTV News and PTV World. They also stole weapons from security guards manning the building and damaged a number of PTV vehicles. There have also been reports of violence and manhandling against PTV staff.

The PFUJ said: “We demand the government to avoid attack on journalists; and advise journalists to take maximum care and keep their safety and security a priority.”

The IFJ said that incidences of police intentionally targeting media personal covering demonstrations was a deplorable situation and highlights the increasing security challenge facing journalists in Pakistan. The IFJ reminds journalists to remain vigilant during this time, and safety should remain their upmost priority. Please access the IFJ Safety Guidelines for Covering Demonstrations and Civil Unrest for more information.

“The police have the responsibility of protecting journalists; so their assault and violence cannot be justified by any logic,” the IFJ Asia-Pacific said. “We urge an immediate investigation into the matter and action against those policemen involved in the assault on journalists.”

International Federation of Journalists

This interview has been edited for clarity.

CPJ: Hamid, the three-member judicial commission looking into the attempt to kill you on April 19th 2014 was supposed to come up with its findings within three weeks. I know you appeared in front of the panel in Karachi and Islamabad several times, and submitted two affidavits. It’s been almost three months now, when will the commission release its report? Is there dissension within the panel? Have their conclusions been repressed?

Hamid Mir: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was kind enough to visit me in the hospital after the assassination attempt on my life. He told me that the judicial commission comprised of three Supreme Court judges will come up with its findings in three weeks. When I appeared in front of this commission first time in Karachi on a wheelchair, my wounds were still bleeding. I was holding urine and blood bags in my hands. It was the first time in the history of Pakistan that [a living] victim directly accused the head of the most powerful intelligence agency with a lot of evidence in front of three Supreme Court judges. I also produced the reports of CPJ and Amnesty International about attacks on media to the commission. They called me again and I answered their questions for hours despite the fact that I was not able to move and I was also suffering from pain in my bullet wounds. I told judges that I appeared in front of the commission which investigated the murder of the journalist Saleem Shahzad. I told them that I also appeared in front of the commission which investigated the abduction and torture of journalist Umar Cheema but nothing happened. I told them that many judicial commissions in the past had failed to identify attackers and they were inconclusive. I told them that despite bad experiences about these commissions in the past I was appearing in front of a commission which was investigating the attack on my life because first time three Supreme Court judges were sitting there. I completed my appearances within three weeks. It was also the first time that top management of a media house also appeared in front of the commission and confirmed that they were facing pressures from military and intelligence officials to sack me or stop me from highlighting the issues of enforced disappearances, criticism on security agencies for their involvement in violating the human rights and treason trial of former dictator General Pervez Musharraf. Many other journalists, human rights activists, and one retired Army official appeared in front of the commission as a witness and they confirmed my stance about the involvement of powerful intelligence officials in terrorizing and attacking media. During my appearances to the commission one judge asked me a question– why do you people report to CPJ about threats to your life? I told him we contact CPJ because our government and judiciary have failed to provide us security and justice. That judge was more interested about the alleged foreign funding to Pakistani media rather than to investigate the attack on my life. The attitude of other two judges was different. Now more than three months have passed and the judicial commission has failed to come up with its findings. According to my information, Karachi police and security agencies are not cooperating with the commission. They are hiding facts and trying to misguide the commission members. I have seen one report of the Karachi police presented to the commission. It is confusing.

CPJ: I’ve always argued against those sorts of commissions. They are inconclusive, they lack authority to initiate real change, and seem more a way of placating the angry media after an assault takes place. Isn’t there an option to resorting to them, to somehow force the courts to address the incident as a crime and investigate it and prosecute it? It happened in the Wali Khan Babar case to some extent, why can’t it be forced through in other cases? I know the prime suspects are linked to the government in many of these cases, but there still must be some sort of mechanism to pursue the case in court, even if it comes to a stalling point?

HM: You are right. These kind of commissions lack authority. I told the three judges that they must come up with something which can provide safety to media. We need legislation. We need accountability of powerful intelligence agencies. These agencies should be answerable to the elected parliament but in my case it was proved that one intelligence agency was more powerful than the whole government. Banned outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba were demonstrating in support of the [Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)] openly, they were raising slogans against me and my TV channel. … Many federal ministers advised Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif not to support Geo TV. They also asked him that government must take action against Geo TV for naming the head of ISI in the attack on my life. Government was forced to take action against Geo TV for its own survival. Instead of providing justice to me and my TV channel we were implicated in a blasphemy case, we were fined, and transmission of Geo TV was suspended for 15 days.

CPJ: You’re facing a legal onslaught, including two arrest warrants issued by courts in Quetta and Lahore for your reporting. And Geo and its management are under the same sort of attacks from the courts, PEMRA, cable operators, the whole spectrum. Is it just Geo’s coverage on the day you were shot that has angered the establishment, or is there more to it?

HM: My arrest warrant issued from a Lahore court is very interesting. I wrote a column against attack on the editor of Daily Jang in Multan city and I was accused of defaming the Pakistan Army on the basis of that column. I have said it many times that I am not against the Army. I have written columns in praise of those brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives in fighting Taliban, but how can I tolerate the involvement of some intelligence officials in attacks against media? These powerful people wanted to dictate to me. They wanted to use me. When I refused they attacked me. Now they are using their unlimited resources including some black sheep in media not only against me but also against Geo TV. Unfortunately some extremist groups were used to exploit blasphemy allegations against Geo TV. We apologized on that issue but even then we were not pardoned because our actual crime was to raise voice against the brutalities of powerful people. Yes, they want to punish Geo TV for airing the name of ISI head as a suspect in my case, but there is more than that. They want to control the whole Pakistani media and parliament. They terrorized not only me but many colleagues of mine. They threatened our families. They forced my colleagues to leave Geo TV. They also threatened journalists [at] different newspapers and TV channels not to speak in support [of me]. They used cable operators against us. They forced advertising agencies not to give any ads to Geo TV. Geo TV is suffering huge losses. It is becoming difficult for the management to pay salaries [on] time. We are under attack from all directions. The most powerful people failed to eliminate us physically, now they want to eliminate us economically. They want to make a horrible example [of us]. We cannot fight them with guns but at least we have the right to defend and right to exist and we are trying our best to survive. Our struggle is not just for our own survival. We are actually struggling for the freedom of whole Pakistani media. If we don’t survive the freedom of the whole media will go away. Today they have targeted Geo TV but tomorrow they will target those TV channels that were used against us.

CPJ: With attacks on religious minorities, it seems there is a whole wave of religious extremism which the military is not really putting down. It doesn’t seem like the military is behind it, it’s just that the state does not seem to be reacting to it. And the use of blasphemy charges to go after some members of the media in the courts seems related to that. Are we seeing the emergence of a more religiously restrictive, more conservative Pakistan? If that’s true, is it being driven by the grass roots? Or are conservative groups within the government/military/intelligence complex encouraging it, or just stepping back and letting it happen?

HM: I want to make it clear again that the whole Pakistani army is not involved in dirty double games or violating the local laws. Some individuals like Gen. Pervez Musharraf or some bosses of the intelligence agencies have given a bad name to the whole institution. It was very unfortunate that banned outfits like LeT came on the roads a few weeks back with pictures of ISI head in their hands and raising slogans against Geo TV. They were demanding to take action against Geo TV on blasphemy charges. It was clear that supporters of the ISI head were exploiting blasphemy laws against a media house. This attitude encouraged many other extremist groups to attack religious minorities for the same baseless reasons. Civilian government is looking helpless right now. They are under pressure. Some political pygmies are trying to involve the army in politics for becoming big but I think it’s the time that media and civil society must support civil rule and democracy because extremism in Pakistan is the product of military regimes. Criticizing the involvement of some army officials in politics does not mean that I am against the whole army–I think all those who use the Army for achieving some political objectives give a bad name to this institution and they are the real enemies of the Army. Using blasphemy charges against a TV channel to protect an army official is not a good service to the country. Spreading the flames of hatred may save one individual but ultimately these flames can burn the whole country in the fire of extremism.

CPJ: CPJ met with Prime Minister Sharif and Information Minister Pervaiz Rasheed in March. We came away hopeful after we were given assurances the government would address the violence against journalists and the impunity with which it happens. It doesn’t seem like much has changed since our meetings. Are there changes coming, new legislation say, that are just taking time to come into effect? Or has this government walked away from the issue?

HM: PM Nawaz Sharif and Information Minister Pervez Rashid tried their best to fulfill their promises but they have their own limitations. The attack on my life changed the whole scenario. Anti-democratic forces were able to divide media and political parties. First of all Geo TV was under attack and now Nawaz Sharif is under attack. Those federal ministers who were advising Nawaz Sharif to take action against Geo TV for saving the government proved wrong. Some political groups famous for their links with anti-democratic forces are now threatening Nawaz Sharif to resign, otherwise they will replace him with a million [man] march in the capital Islamabad. Nawaz Sharif is fighting for his own political survival. I hope that if he survives then we will demand that he must fulfill his promises made to CPJ.

CPJ: If the government can’t protect journalists from militants or from its own security forces, where can journalists turn for protection? I used to argue that journalists themselves are well organized in Pakistan, and that the media industry for all its flaws, was fairly well united. It seems that since the government’s response to Geo’s coverage of the April attack on you, that solidarity has waned, if not disappeared. Is that accurate? Can the coherence of Pakistan’s media players, from field reporters up to its owners, be regenerated? Did anything like that, in fact, ever exist?

HM: In many cases some journalists just left Pakistan because government failed to protect them from militants and security agencies. I think it’s a short term solution for an individual but it is not a permanent solution [to] a big problem. I am facing security problems [for a long time]. I was asked by many friends and colleagues to leave Pakistan but I refused. I decided to stay in Pakistan because running away is not a good option. I am staying here and trying to survive and giving some hope to my colleagues facing security threats. Our unity is our solution. We were united when Gen. Pervez Musharraf imposed a ban on some TV anchors including me in 2007.We came on the roads and defeated him. We were again united after the murder of journalist Saleem Shahzad. We organized big rallies and joint shows on many TV channels. We forced the government to set up a high powered commission for investigating the murder of Saleem Shahzad. Our unity became a problem for the powerful establishment of Pakistan. Enemies of democracy and free media changed their strategy. They adopted the strategy of divide and rule. Yes some TV anchors said in their shows that I am a traitor because I criticize intelligence agencies, yes banned outfits, cable operators and PEMRA were used against Geo TV, but on the other side working journalists from Karachi to Peshawar came out on the roads with my pictures in their hands. They defied the pressure of those who have guns in their hands and who have banned extremist groups on their side. The journalist community realized that media again need unity. Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) was divided in three groups. These groups now have started talking to each other for unity and trying to remove misunderstandings which were created long ago by the military regime of General Zia-ul-Haq in late 70s. I am still hopeful that unity of media will make a big difference. Surrender is no option.

CPJ: How is your health? I know the shooting took a terrible toll. How far along are you in terms of your recovery?

HM: I got six bullet injuries in my shoulder, lower back, stomach, and both legs. My bladder was damaged. My intestines were damaged. A stent was placed in my kidney. It was difficult for me to sit on a chair. I faced horrible pains. I used a wheelchair for two months, then I started using a walker, then used a stick for many days–now I can move without any help after three months. I still feel pain in my legs because bones in my both legs were damaged. I consulted an orthopedic surgeon in Cromwell Hospital London recently and now I am recovering very fast due to the prayers of millions of people. I have started my TV show again a few days back and proved all those wrong who predicted that Hamid Mir will run away from Pakistan. I am back on the TV screen but still facing pressures. I am sure that people of Pakistan will stand by us in our struggle of survival.

CPJ: What can groups like CPJ accomplish in Pakistan? How do we go about it?

HM: First of all I must say thanks to CPJ for doing an excellent job for the protection of journalists. Enemies of free media in Pakistan are angry with CPJ which means CPJ is doing a good job. CPJ must help and guide us for raising awareness [about] why free media is essential for strengthening the democracy and why Pakistan needs legislation for the protection of media. CPJ engaged not only top government officials but also met Pakistani intelligence officials in the recent past. I will appreciate further engagement of that kind in the future.

Bob Dietz, coordinator of CPJ’s Asia Program, has reported across the continent for news outlets such as CNN and Asiaweek. He has led numerous CPJ missions, including ones to Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. Follow him on Twitter @cpjasia and Facebook @ CPJ Asia Desk.

Committee to Protect Journalists

According to a press release, Payne said during the past few weeks, many incidents of attacks on the media in Pakistan have surfaced. Attack on Geo TV anchor Hamid Mir in Karachi and torture on resident editor, Jang Multan, are aimed to muffle the voices of rivals, which is a cause of concern for the CJA.

Payne said she understands that it was time when journalists and editors would cross the line between reporting and intentional commentary on an issue. She said the hard-won freedom of press in Pakistan needs to be protected. She appealed to Nawaz to make sure protection of the media against torture and pressure.

The News

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

Protest against suspension of Geo TV Network transmission continued on Monday as people from different walks of life vehemently condemned the move aimed at curbing media freedom.

The major protest held outside the Geo/Jang Group offices on Davis Road was attended by journalists, students and members of civil society, who voiced their support to Geo and rejected the plot to ban it.

Major speakers at the protest included Civil Society Network President Abdullah Malik and senior journalists Maqsood Butt, Khawar Naeem Hashmi, Mirza Naseer Baig, Muzaffar Mehmood, Ejaz Mirza, Adnan Malik, Amin Hafeez and others.

Abdullah Malik said Geo had given the message of love, adding that the elements, which did not believe in media freedom and democracy, were now busy in burning the copies of Jang and The News.Geo Lahore Bureau Chief Khawar Naeem Hashmi, in his address, said the institutions supposed to defend the people were busy in intimidating Geo.

Maqsood Butt stated that the journalists had achieved the freedom after a long struggle and their strength couldn’t be crushed through force. He said the honourable court had ordered restoration of Geo transmission but it had not been implemented.

Business Forum Chairman Samiullah Butt said attacks on journalists were bringing a bad name to the country and therefore the culprits should be brought to book immediately. Progressive Group Chairman Khalid Usman said that journalists are believed to be the ears and eyes of a society. If they are attacked, common people would feel themselves more insecure.

Anjuman-e-Tajiran Pakistan President Khalid Pervaiz said such incidents should not only be stopped but the government must take note of it immediately. According to reports received from Bhalwal, a traders meeting held here with Rehan Ahmad Butt in the chair, strongly condemned the attack on Zafar Aaheer. Haji Mahmood Ahmad Khokhar and others said attacks on Geo and Jang were a cause of concern among all citizens of Pakistan.

According to Baseerpur correspondent, known lawyers Mian Adnan Sarwar Wattoo Advocate, Mian Imran Khan Wattoo Advocate, Amjad Ali Mughal Advocate and others, addressing a joint press conference here Monday condemned the attack on Zafar Aaheer, blackout of Geo TV Network and burning of copies of Jang and The News as well as vehicles in different cities. They said there was no concept of such punitive actions against the media in any other country.

According to Kassowal correspondent, Federal Forum for Journalists Protection Central Convener Muhammad Jameel Malik condemned an attack on daily Jang Resident Editor Zafar Aaheer and demanded an immediate arrest of those who attacked him.

According to the Faisalabad Jang correspondent, the local journalists recorded their protest against any action against the Geo/Jang Group and the attack on Zafar Aaheer. They organised a rally from the Faisalabad Press Club to District Council Chowk.

Addressing the rally, senior journalist Shahbaz Ahmed said the journalists community would thwart all conspiracies against the Geo/Jang Group. Zafar Dogar said the government should take action against those targeting the Geo/Jang Group.

The Faisalabad Union of Journalists (Dastoor) also demonstrated against the revengeful actions being taken against the Geo/Jang Group. The journalists who participated in the demonstration were carrying placards and banners reading pro-Geo and Jang slogans.

FUJ President Sajjad Haider Muna, addressing the demonstration, said 50,000 journalists and workers would be rendered jobless in case of the Geo closure. So the revengeful activities against the Geo/Jang Group be stopped.

Earlier, in a meeting called by the FUJ, Federal Union of Journalists General Secretary Riffat Qadri presented a resolution demanding action against those who burnt daily Jang vehicles and attacked and threatened Geo workers. The resolution also demanded an immediate restoration of Geo TV telecast. The resolution was passes with consensus.

Senior journalist Zafar Dogar led a rally in which the Geo/Jang workers and representatives of other newspapers and TV channels participated in large numbers. The prominent among them were Syed Waqas Haider, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mian Shafiq, Mian Shafiq and Sarfraz Naz.

Zafar Dogar said it wasn’t an attack on a single person or journalist as it targeted all the media. “All of us are Hamid Mir,” he remarked, adding that the attack on Aaheer was tantamount to an assault on the collective interest of the country.

Lawyers community of DBA Kasur including Rana Naveed Ahmad Joyia president Insaf Group of lawyers, Syed Ikhsan Shah Hamdani (general secretary of Insaf Group), Rana Tanveer Ahmad Joyia, members of Pakistan Media Guild (PMG) including Rana Naveed (president), Rana Sohail Ahmad (gen secy) Muazzam Khalil SVP, Rana Irfan (VP) M. Saleemur Rahman (addl gen secy PMG), etc appealed to the Supreme Court Chief Justice for taking strict steps on condition of different institutions including Pemra, judiciary and media.

In a joint statement Monday, they said more then 80 per cent viewers of Geo news were upset due to its closure by the cable operators. They wondered on whose orders the cable operators have shut the Geo channel.

In Khudian Khas (Kasur district), the president of local press club, Haji Ahmed Ali Qaiser and Senior Vice-President M Saleem Khalifa, Vice-President Haji Ahmed Ali Zargar, General-Secretary Sabir Ali Babar, Deputy Secretary Shafiq Akram Junejo, Finance Secretary Liaquat Ali, Mehr Basharat, Irfan Tabani and Mirza Fahim-ul-Hassan held a meeting. They demanded the government to arrest the culprits at the earliest and give them an exemplary punishment for ensuring that such acts were not repeated in the future.

In Sialkot, Union of Journalist General-Secretary Faisal Butt described the incident as an attempt to weaken media – fourth pillar of the state and vowed the journalists would foil such conspiracies through united action.

Punjab Press Council Chairman Malik Iftikhar Hussain said democracy and media could not be separated, but the anti-democracy forces were causing such unfortunate incidents only because of their vested interests. He said it was a duty of every citizen to condemn the trend.

Senior journalist Muhammad Ashraf Kamal said that citizens were being deprived of their right to watch the favourite TV channel for the last 43 days. The situation had worsened with each passing day as the Jang Group workers were facing life threat. He asked the government to end the prevailing confusion by playing its due role.

An emergency meeting was also held at Khanqah Dogran Press Club where its president, Mian Jamshed Abbas Dogar said the country had become a police state because of the apathy shown by the government. Senior Vice-President Sabir Waseem and Vice-President Nisar Ahmed Khan vowed that the voice of truth could not be suppressed by cowardly acts like the terrorist attack on Aaheer. They also stated that any kind of restriction media was unacceptable to the journalist community.

Other office holders and journalists including Tariq Mehmood, Qazi Ahmed Ali Farooqui, Mehr Shabbir Hussain, Nayyer Abbas, Tariq Mehmood Mughal, Amjad Ali, Yousaf Bhatti, Kashif Munawar Bhatti Azam Bhatti and Syed Imtiaz Altaf Bokhari attended the meeting. They prayed for swift recovery of Hamid Mir and Zafar Aaheer.

A meeting of the Pakpattan Press Club Monday condemned attack on daily Jang Multan’s Resident Editor Zafar Aaheer. Meanwhile, a meeting of Union of Journalists of Pakpattan also slammed the attack. They have demanded the government to immediately arrest attackers. They also condemned an incident near Lodhran, where armed men snatched Jang copies. They urged the government to provide security to people supplying newspapers.

The News