Journalists and activists in Pakistan faced an increasingly hostile climate in 2015 due to harassment, threats and violence from both the state and militant groups, according to Human Rights Watch report released on Wednesday.

In the 659-page World Report 2016, which has reviewed human rights practices in more than 90 countries, HRW says the government imposed new restrictions on free speech and funding of civil society groups in 2015 due to the security situation faced by the country.

Asia director of Human Rights Watch Brad Adams said Pakistan should not curb freedom of expression and association under the threat of extremism.

“Pakistan should reverse course and repeal or amend laws curbing freedom of expression and association,” he said.

“The government should never use the threat of extremist violence as a pretext to violate the rights of independent voices.”

Similarly, the report claimed, Taliban and other armed extremist groups threatened media outlets and targeted journalists and activists for their work.

Media was also deterred from reporting on or criticising human rights violations in the country’s counter-terrorism operations, it added.

According to the overview by HRW, since the Army Public School attack in December 2014, the government has responded with National Action Plan to combat terrorism, established military courts for terrorism cases and ended the unofficial moratorium on capital punishment, which led to execution of 327 people in 2015 alone.

Following the attack, thousands of Afghans living in Pakistan returned to Afghanistan or fled elsewhere due to subsequent backlashes.

Violent attacks and persecution of religious minorities from extremist groups were also reported.

The “Policy for Regulation of INGOs in Pakistan” required all international non-governmental organisations and domestic groups receiving foreign funding to register and obtain prior permission to carryout any activities and restricted their operations.

Cybercrimes bill allowed the government to censor online content, the report said, criminalise internet user activity, and access internet users’ data without judicial review.

“Pakistan’s government should take urgent steps to create an enabling environment for free expression and association,” Adams said.

“Pakistan needs to fight terrorism, but denying its citizens fundamental freedoms and due process rights is an unlawful and extremely misguided approach.”

Express Tribune

Editors for Safety will focus on the alarming level of insecurity for media professionals and institutions in Pakistan. Zaffar Abbas, Editor, Dawn was elected as the first Chairman.

The basic philosophy of Editors for Safety will be that an attack on one journalist or media house will be considered an attack on the entire media. Those in the organisation will assess such situations and jointly make decisions regarding media coverage of violence and threats of violence against any media house as if it was an attack against themselves. Beyond coverage, Editors for Safety would also assist any journalist or media house that needs help in dealing with such issues by providing resources, sharing information and expertise, or reaching out to stakeholders involved.

The formal creation of Editors for Safety has ensured close, timely coordination between many newspaper editors and television news directors on cases of attacks/threats on media professionals, and has already resulted in improving the quality of media coverage of such attacks. The decision has been taken so that media houses can speak with one voice against the prevalent culture of impunity where journalists across the country are being attacked on a regular basis, and perpetrators are rarely brought to justice.

The meeting decided to approach all newspapers editors and television news directors to join Editors for Safety. The meeting also decided to consult with All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS), Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) and invite them to nominate representatives to Editors for Safety.

Those who attended the meeting and formed Editors for Safety included Wamiq Zuberi (Business Recorder), Mujibur Rehman Shami (Daily Pakistan), Ali Kazi (KTN and Kawish), Fahd Hussain (Express News), Azhar Abbas (Geo News), Shahrukh Hassan (The Jang Group), Abdul Khaliq (Online), Anwer Sajdi (daily Intekhab), Aamer Ahmed Khan (Aaj TV), Tahir Najmi (daily Express), Jabbar Khatttak (Awami Awaz), Zahid Mazhar (Dawn News), Jahanzaib Haque (Dawn.com), Naveed Hussain (Express Tribune), Farhan Reza (ARY News), Imran Saleem Dar (AVT), Zaffar Abbas (Dawn) and Owais Aslam Ali (PPF).

Those who could not attend the meeting but have been part of the consultations on Editors for Safety, and have given their consent, include Arif Nizami (Pakistan Today and Channel 24), Rameeza Nizami (Nawa-e-Waqt/The Nation group), Kamran Khan (Duniya News), Kazi Abid (Ibrat) and Siddiq Baloch (Balochistan Express). The meeting decided that Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) would be the secretariat of Editors for Safety.

The Nation

The basic philosophy of Editors for Safety will be that an attack on one journalist or media house will be considered an attack on the entire media. Those in the organisation will assess such situations and jointly make decisions regarding media coverage of violence and threats of violence against any media house as if it was an attack against themselves. Beyond coverage, Editors for Safety would also assist any journalist or media house that needs help in dealing with such issues by providing resources, sharing information and expertise, or reaching out to stakeholders involved.

The formal creation of Editors for Safety has ensured close, timely coordination between many newspaper editors and television news directors on cases of attacks/threats on media professionals, and has already resulted in improving the quality of media coverage of such attacks. The decision has been taken so that media houses can speak with one voice against the prevalent culture of impunity where journalists across the country are being attacked on a regular basis, and perpetrators are rarely brought to justice.

The meeting decided to approach all newspapers editors and television news directors to join Editors for Safety. The meeting also decided to consult with All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS), Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) and invite them to nominate representatives to Editors for Safety.

Those who attended the meeting and formed Editors for Safety included Wamiq Zuberi (Business Recorder), Mujibur Rehman Shami (Daily Pakistan), Ali Kazi (KTN and Kawish), Fahd Hussain (Express News), Azhar Abbas (Geo News), Shahrukh Hassan (The Jang Group), Abdul Khaliq (Online), Anwer Sajdi (daily Intekhab), Aamer Ahmed Khan (Aaj TV), Tahir Najmi (daily Express), Jabbar Khatttak (Awami Awaz), Zahid Mazhar (Dawn News), Jahanzaib Haque (Dawn.com), Naveed Hussain (Express Tribune), Farhan Reza (ARY News), Imran Saleem Dar (AVT), Zaffar Abbas (Dawn) and Owais Aslam Ali (PPF).

Those who could not attend the meeting but have been part of the consultations on Editors for Safety, and have given their consent, include Arif Nizami (Pakistan Today and Channel 24), Rameeza Nizami (Nawa-e-Waqt/The Nation group), Kamran Khan (Duniya News), Kazi Abid (Ibrat) and Siddiq Baloch (Balochistan Express).

The meeting decided that Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) would be the secretariat of Editors for Safety.

KARACHI: Unidentified armed policemen in uniform and civvies kidnapped, tortured and robbed the Geo News Karachi Bureau Chief Faheem Ahmed Siddiqui in the Shahra-e-Noor Jahan police remit.

According to Faheem Siddiqui, he was hailed by a police mobile near Sakhi Hassan Chowrangi as he was driving to work on Saturday afternoon. Expecting a normal security check, Siddiqui complied and stopped his jeep.

He added that the cops in plain clothes then pulled him out of his car and began to beat him.

The men covered Siddiqui’s face with a cloth, bound his hands and took him away towards an undisclosed location in his own car. Faheem told Geo News that besides the two men (who were in plain clothes) the rest of them were in uniform and seemed to be fresh recruits.

The men flanking him on either side in the back of his SUV armed with Kalashnikov rifles continued to beat him and abuse him as well as Geo News. Siddiqui said, adding that he was driven around blindfolded.

His abductors demanded he reveal his mobile phone password and after he complied they made several phone calls providing updates.

Siddiqui said he was finally left with his hands tied in Manghopir near the Hub Dam. His abductors left him in the deserted area and took away Siddiqui’s licensed weapon, three mobile phones and all the documents and electronics that were present in his car.

IG Sindh told Geo News that an investigation is being conducted into the incident. He added that they are trying to ascertain which policemen are involved in this incident.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has taken notice of the issue and assured that an inquiry will be conducted by the Rangers and the police. He stressed that the facts will be brought to light.

Nisar made it clear that it is against the law for policemen in plain clothes to detain someone. He assured that serious action will be taken in light of Faheem Siddiqui’s abduction.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) West Range Feroze Shah taking notice of the kidnapping and torture of Faheem Siddiqui has constituted a committee under the supervision of SSP Central.

Moreover, the police recorded the statement of Fahim Siddiqui under Section 154 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and later they lodged an FIR of kidnapping, torture and dacoity at the Shahra-e-Noor Jehan Police Station against unidentified policemen.

Noor Aftab adds from

Islamabad: The journalist community has demanded the Sindh government to immediately arrest the culprits involved in kidnap, assault and torture of Faheem Siddiqui.

President National Press Club Shahryar Khan said those who kidnapped senior journalist Siddiqui included six policemen — four in uniform and two in plain clothes — and they not only tortured him but also snatched his cellular phones and cash.

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) president Afzal Butt has given the Sindh government a 12-hour deadline to ascertain who is behind this incident and to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Secretary Karachi Press Club AH Khanzada said the whole journalist fraternity was deeply concerned over the incident. He demanded the government to immediately ascertain those responsible for the assault on the senior journalist and bring them to book.

President of Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) Ali Raza and secretary general Bilal Dar also demanded Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah to immediately probe the incident and arrest the culprits who kidnapped and tortured Faheem.

APP adds: Minister for Information Senator Pervaiz Rashid strongly condemned an incident of torture on the Geo News Karachi bureau chief.

The minister, in a statement, said that the government believed in freedom of expression and would not tolerate any attack on independence of media.

He said that the government would make every possible effort for the safety and security of media persons so that they could perform their professional obligation in accordance with their professional ethos.

The News

The television programme “Sar-e-Aam” of ARY News television channel produced a program on transport of weapons and explosives with connivance of corrupt railway officials. Instead of investigating the serious security lapse, the railway authorities registered a case of arms smuggling against the media team itself. ARY News said its program caught railway officials taking bribes to transport illegal weapons from Karachi to Lahore, ARY News reported.

General Manager Railways, Javed Anwar told the journalists that the railways employees guilty of transport of arms and explosives had been suspended.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Rana Azeem amd Secretary General Amin Yousuf strongly condemned attack and demand that the case should be withdrawn immediately.

Pakistan Press Foundation

A number of unidentified people threw small explosives described as crackers, targeting the DSNG of Dunya News, Dawn News and Abb Tak News channels after the conclusion of a political rally at Faizabad Interchange. The attack left five media workers injured.

The attack took place after the completion of coverage of the political rally organized by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The crackers were hauled at the parked DSNG vans from a motorcycle. According to reports, the crackers left an eight-inch wide and one inch deep crater at the site and damaged the TV vans.

DSNG engineer Ziaul Haq and cameraman Mohsin Ali of DawnNews, Nadir Hussain and Amir Ishfaq of Duniya News and Suleman Mubarik of Abb Takk News were injured in the incident who received treatment by Rescue 1122 medical staff on the spot.

The police have registered a case against unnamed attackers and are investigating what amounts of explosives were used.

The IFJ and the PFUJ demand immediate arrest of the culprits. The PFUJ is holding protest programs against the attack around the country.

The PFUJ said: “We condemn the incident and consider it an act of terrorism to threaten media to stop them showing truth. Such incidents cannot stop media men to perform their duties to show people the truth.”

Jane Worthington, the acting director of the IFJ Asia-Pacific said: “Attacks on television channels has become routine in political rallies in Pakistan; it is a cowardly act and becoming part of Pakistan’s culture of impunity. The IFJ condemns the attack and urge the government to ensure safety and security of journalists on the field.”

International Federation of Journalists

CPPC Convener Arshad Ansari said crackers attacks on DSNGs during event coverage showed poor security arrangements. PFUJ Vice President Mudassir Khan, PUJ President Waseem Farooq Shahid, senior journalist Deen Muhammad Dard, Pervez Altaf, Shadab Riaz, Ghulam Mujtaba Bajwa, Nasira Attique, Attiya Zaidi, Marwa Ansar Chaudhry, Hafiz Rizwanul Haq, Shabbir Hussain Toori and Comrade Zawwar Hussain address the protestors.

Protest demonstrations against crackers attacks were also held in Faisalabad and Gujranwala. In Gujranwala, the demonstration was led by Press Club President Tariq Munir Butt. Others who attended the demonstration were senior journalist Muhammad Akram Malik, Dr Umar Naseer, Mirza Iqbal, Raja Habib, Rana Ansar Shahzad, Ghulam Fareed Sandhu and others.

In Faisalabad, print and electronic media employees organised a protest rally from Press Club to Kutchery Bazaar, which culminated at Zila Council Chowk. News Cameramen Association General Secretary Nasir Malik, senior journalists Hassam Qazi Mian Munawar and Muhammad Shafiq addressed the rally.

Our Correspondent adds from Bahawalpur: On the call of the PFUJ, the Bahawalpur Union of Journalists members staged a demonstration against increasing attacks on journalists, particularly on cameramen of electronic media and DSNGs of various channels in Islamabad recently.

The protesters, led by PFUJ Vice-President Muhammad Ameen Abbasi, chanted slogans against the attacks at Chowk Fawara. Addressing the protesters, Ameen Abbasi said violence against media men and particularly against the country’s largest media group ‘Jang Group’ was not tolerable. He asked the government to take concrete steps for protection of journalists and media-related staffers.

The News

The incident occurred after a political rally, organized by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) when two men on a motorcycle hurled crackers at the parked DSNG vans of Dawn News, Dunya News and Abb Tak News channels. Five media personnel, DSNG engineer Ziaul Haq and cameraman Mohsin Ali of Dawn News, Nadir Hussain and Amir Ishfaq of Duniya News and Suleman Mubarik of Abb Takk News were injured who received treatment by Rescue 1122 medical staff on the spot. The DSNG vans were partially damaged in the attack.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Police registered a case against unnamed attackers and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Islamabad Asmatullah Junego said the target was the DSNG of Dawn News.

President of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Rana M Azeem and Secretary General Amin Yousuf strongly condemned attack and demanded that that the culprits be captured and put behind the bars. “We condemn the incident and consider this a terrorism to threat media to stop them showing truth. Such incidents cannot stop media men to perform their duties,” Rana Azeem said.

Pakistan Press Foundation

The attack on media workers in Islamabad on Sunday appears to be part of this pattern of intimidation and violence. Five media persons were injured when unidentified attackers lobbed a cracker at DSNG vans returning from the PTI rally.

Two of the victims work for DawnNews, while employees of Dunya News and Abb Takk News were also among the injured.

Also read: DawnNews vehicle attacked in Islamabad, cameraman injured

A similar incident was witnessed in Karachi in January, when an Express News van was attacked. Unfortunately, in that incident — claimed by the banned TTP — lives were lost. The same media house’s offices in Karachi were also targeted in earlier attacks.

While claims of responsibility for the latest attack had not emerged at the time of writing, a committee has been formed to investigate the incident.

The number of actors who have attacked journalists and media workers in the past have included religious and separatist militants, as well as individuals reportedly associated with political parties.

Personnel apparently working for the security agencies have also been known to target media workers. So until more details of Sunday’s incident emerge, it will be difficult to fix the blame.

However, what past cases make clear is that almost anyone can commit acts of violence against the media in Pakistan, and get away with it. In this case too, how did the attackers disappear into the ether in the supposedly secure environs of Islamabad?

We hope the committee formed to investigate the matter pursues the case and does not end up with inconclusive results similar to those of committees past. And media houses need to close ranks to send a strong message to the state that violence against journalists will not be tolerated and those using intimidatory tactics against media workers must be made to face the law.

DAWN

Rallies held in different cities including Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore, Kasur, Multan, Sukkur and Hyderabad were organized by journalists and newspaper workers organisations. Besides a large number of journalists and newspaper workers, Akhbar Farosh leaders, civil society members and traders and lawyers representatives participated in the rallies and vowed to resist the closure of Geo in order to protect the jobs of over 5,000 employees of Jang-Geo Group.

They also demanded a probe by parliament unveiling those behind Geo’s closure. In Islamabad, a big rally marched from the Geo offices to the Parliament House where a sit-in was staged. Members of civil society organisations, lawyers, traders and representatives of various political parties also became part of the sit-in and vowed that they would not allow the marchers to attack the media houses and harass their employees to prevent them from bringing truth to the people.

The participants carried placards reading “Restore Geo”, “Stop Violence against Journalists”, “Live and Let Live”, “Journalists are No Longer Safe”, “We Want Freedom of Press” and “Stop Killing Journalists”. They also shouted slogans in favour of the freedom of the press and vowed that it would be protected at all costs.

It is pertinent to mention here that on Sunday night, the Geo News building was attacked by activists of PTI and PAT when employees of Geo, Jang and The News were working.

During the last one week, the Geo/Jang offices located on the Fazl-e-Haq Road, Islamabad, have been attacked 20 times, and rioters have broken the windows of the building and windscreens of vehicles belonging to employees.

Addressing the protesters, leading journalist Hamid Mir said former dictator Pervez Musharraf had tried hard to curb the freedom of the press but failed miserably in his nefarious designs and the journalists community protected its rights against all odds.

“If Imran Khan has any moral courage, then he should condemn the attacks on the offices of Geo News by his Gullu Butts and also show his commitment towards the freedom of the press,” he said.

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Afzal Butt said the journalists had the right to seek an apology from Imran Khan and Dr Tahirul Qadri for the attack on the Geo News offices and the harassment of journalists, workers and staff members of Geo News, The News and Jang.

He said parliament should probe who was behind the closure of Geo. He said: “An independent commission should be constituted to probe the allegations being leveled against the Jang Group and if these are proved, then we would launch a campaign against this media group. But it is highly unethical that some politicians and other people are continuously leveling allegations against the Jang Group without giving any proof or evidence.”

“I heard that some quarters are asking the Jang Group to provide Rs250 million if it wants restoration of transmission of Geo News across the country. The journalists community would not tolerate these threats and stand with the media group that always protected the interests of Pakistan,” he said.

Senator Mushahidullah Khan said no one could mute the voice of Geo News that is still determined to bring the truth to the people despite the fact that it has been under tremendous pressure from various segments due to its independent editorial policies.

“It is highly unfortunate that Hamid Mir was brutally attacked and he received six bullets but so far no one knows who was behind this criminal act. I salute the journalists who are facing threats but still performing their duties in line with the professional media ethics,” he said.

Senator Zahid Khan of ANP said the transmission of Geo News was already blocked in various cities and now the marchers had been carrying out attacks on its offices, which was a clear indication that some segments of the society cannot tolerate a free media and they want to curb the freedom of the press in Pakistan.

Former MNA Ayatollah Durrani said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) stands for the freedom of the press and fully supports the media persons that are working amid a highly uncongenial environment.

The Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) president Ali Raza Alvi said the marchers need to understand that the freedom of the press cannot be compromised because it has helped a lot for strengthening the judiciary and democracy in the country.

RIUJ General Secretary Bilal Dar said the PTI and PAT workers were trying to force the Geo staff to telecast news according to the wishes of Imran Khan and Dr Tahirul Qadri, which was blatantly against the media ethics.

Senior journalist Nasir Zaidi deplored the continuous closure of Geo for the last four months and termed it an act to curb the press freedom. He said the journalists would continure their struggle that is bound to succeed. He also demanded a probe by parliament why cable operators had failed to implement the Pemra and SC orders for restoration of Geo to its original numbers.

Senior journalist Shaheen Qureshi called for the formation of a parliamentary committee to get to the bottom of Geo closure issue. Former president of Rawalpindi Press Club Nawaz Raza expressed solidarity with the workers of Jang/Geo Group.

Our Peshawar Bureau adds: Members of the Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) and the Peshawar Press Club (PPC) staged a protest against the attacks on the office of Geo television in Islamabad and manhandling of journalists by workers of the PTI and PAT.

Led by the presidents of the KhUJ and PPC, Nisar Mahmood and Nasir Hussain, the protesters carrying banners and placards, marched on the road. They urged the leaders of both the PTI and PAT to control their workers, stop attacking the media houses and manhandling of journalists.

In their separate speeches, Nisar Mahmood, Nasir Hussain and the bureau chief of Geo News in Peshawar, Mehmud Jan Babar, condemned the attacks on Geo TV offices and journalists and urged the government to ensure protection to the community, performing professional duties.

They said it was the joint responsibility of the PTI and PAT leaders to stop their workers from interfering with the professional duties of the media and media men.

Expressing concern over the repeated acts of violence against the media, the journalists’ leaders said they could not and would not support such aggressions in future. They warned of extending the protest drive if there was no end to such acts of violence. They also demanded a parliamentary probe into the continuous closure of Geo.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, extended solidarity to the protesting journalists and assured them of every support in their just cause.

The PML-N workers, led by the provincial general secretary Rahmat Salam Khattak and Arbab Khyzer Hayat Khan, flayed the PTI and PAT leadership and workers for attacking the media houses and journalists. They stressed steps for the protection of the journalists.

Our correspondent adds from Lahore: Civil society representatives, journalists, lawyers, religious leaders and people from different walks of life on Monday condemned the recent attacks on Geo/ Jang Group offices in Islamabad and growing injustices against the media house. They described a free media as a matter of life and death for a truly free and independent country.

They warned other channels that in case of forced shutdown of Geo Network, they would also be facing similar situation in future. The protesters also criticised the PTI and PAT chiefs — Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri — for leading the country towards instability.

The protesters had gathered at the Faisal Chowk outside the Punjab Assembly to record their protest over the developing situation vis-à-vis conspiracies against the Geo News and the group’s other channels and their possible closure.

Besides the office bearers of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ), Lahore Press Club (LPC), Electronic Media Reporters Association (Emra) and Electronic Media Cameramen Association (Emca), a large number of journalists from other newspapers and TV channels also joined the protest.

South Asia Free Media Association (Safma) Secretary General Imtiaz Alam said journalists were united to foil any move to forcibly shut down Geo. “The closure of Geo is not acceptable to us as the resignation of the prime minister is not acceptable to the political parties,” he said.

Imtiaz urged the owners of other media houses to get united at this crucial juncture and support Geo, saying the prevailing situation was not going to be in favour of other channels in the future.

Jamiat Ahle Hadith Pakistan chief Hafiz Abdul Ghaffar Ropri demanded of the government to ensure that no injustice was committed against Geo resulting in its forced closure. Observing that the Geo management had already apologised, he said discrimination against the media group was unjustified and uncalled for.

Noted Human Rights activist Hina Jilani said she fully supported the campaign for a free and independent media, adding that the rights activists, civil society and lawyers were ready for an extended war.

Neelam Hussain, another noted rights activist, said they supported the freedom of expression and supported the struggle of Geo and also acknowledged its sacrifices.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary Information Farooq Chohan said the media owners should be united just like the democratic forces joining hands to protect democracy and the Constitution. “This is a pre-requisite for a free and independent media,” he said.

Sohail Ahmed of Jamiat Ahle Hadith said they always condemned the attacks on the media as the nation could not be termed free and independent without a free media.

Lahore Press Club (LPC) Secretary General Shahbaz Mian said political parties, lawyers, journalists, students, civil society and religious leaders were united in supporting Geo. He said the economic murder of journalists was underway while those associated with Geo were being attacked physically. “These tactics cannot deter us from our struggle for a free press in Pakistan,” he promised.

Manzoor Gillani of Tehreek-e-Istiqlal said hooliganism against Geo was not witnessed in the past.

PFUJ General Secretary Amir Sohail said journalists had foiled attempts to impose curbs on the media in the past and they would not let such conspiracies succeed. “The economic murder of journalists even at a small organisation is not acceptable to us and this time conspiracies have been hatched against the largest media outlet of the country.”

PPP leader Noreen Sial said she condemned the attack on Geo and its journalists on the behalf of her party heads Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. She strongly criticised Imran Khan for instigating his followers to attack Geo and said, “You (Imran) can never be a politician. You are just a cricketer.”

Religious scholar Allama Kazim Raza Naqvi said they had always expressed solidarity with Geo-Jang Group and condemned the attack on their workers, including Hamid Mir. He said the independence of Geo was in fact the independence of people of the country.

Bashir Ahmad Nizami of Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan said imposing curbs on the media was not acceptable as it exposed malpractices and corruption of those at the helm of affairs.Abid Mir of Shabab-e-Milli said the attack of Geo and its possible forced closure was highly condemnable and added other media organisations should come forward and play their role to save the institution.

A student Maryam Zulfiqar also came hard on the ongoing sit-ins, saying the so-called leaders were trying to make a New Pakistan by making women dance in the open.Ahle Hadith Youth Force Pakistan President Hafiz Zakirul Rehman Siddiqui said Geo played a major role in making Imran a national leader but he was now spewing venom against the TV channel.

Geo News Lahore Bureau chief Khawar Naeem Hashmi, Maqsood Butt and others also spoke on the occasion.

Our correspondent adds from Kasur: Kasur journalists, traders and civil society on Monday took out a protest rally against the attacks on Geo offices in Islamabad.

The rally started from the NBP Chowk. Journalists Ashraf Wahla, Saleemur Rahman, Zakir Hussain, Mehr Javed and others condemned the attacks and urged the relevant authorities to arrest the attackers forthwith.

Our correspondent adds from Multan: The Multan Union of Journalists (MUJ) on Monday staged a demonstration against the attack on Geo, Jang and The News offices in Islamabad.

The protesting journalists were chanting slogans against the incident and in support of freedom of the press. Renowned politician Javed Hashmi also attended the demonstration and assured his full support to journalists.

Hashmi criticised the attacks on Geo offices and its illegal closure and termed it an attack on the freedom of the press. He also criticised the police failure in protecting Geo, Jang and The News offices when the mob pelted the building with stones.

MUJ President Rauf Maan also condemned the attack and said such tactics could never bow down the journalists. Meanwhile, talking to newsmen, Javed Hashmi criticised the Punjab government, saying that it had focused on photo and media coverage by visiting flood-hit areas, instead of providing relief to the flood victims.

PHOOLNAGAR: The Phoolnagar Union of Journalists condemned the attack on Geo offices in Islamabad. Addressing a meeting here on Monday, union Chairman Kashif Shaukat, President Latif, General Secretary Abdur Razzaq and Vice President Zahid Hussain asked the government to protect the journalists community and Geo News.

HYDERABAD: Media persons of Hyderabad on Monday staged a protest under the aegis of the Hyderabad Union of Journalists here in front of the Hyderabad Press Club against the attacks on Geo TV office in Islamabad.

The participants of the demonstration strongly condemned the attacks on media persons and media houses and demanded the arrest of those involved in killing, attacking, torturing and harassing media persons in the country.

Our Sukkur correspondent adds: Journalists, civil society and political workers protested against the continued closure of Geo, attacks on Geo Islamabad office and thrashing of its reporters. Journalists of Sukkur under the aegis of Sukkur Union of Journalists on the call of the PFUJ took out a protest rally in front of Press Club, Sukkur. They condemned the recent multiple attacks on the Geo offices in Islamabad and thrashing of its reporters.

The protesters said they would never accept an attack on the freedom of the press and said blocking of Geo TV in most parts of the country was evidence of partiality.

Meanwhile, in Khairpur, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Larkana, Nausharoferoz, Tando Allahyar and other cities journalists also took out protest rallies which were participated by PPP, PML-N, PML-F workers besides lawyers and NGO workers.

Online adds: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has severely condemned the illegal closure of Geo News, stating that he believes in the freedom of the press.The defence minister said Geo should be allowed to work with the same freedom awarded to other channels in the country.

Asif added that sit-ins were wasting time and impeding the relief work. According to the defence minister, the government had worked on a war footing to tackle the largest flood in the country’s history.

The News