(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a letter received by the IFJ from the Embassy of Pakistan, regarding the arrest of editor Najam Sethi: **Updates IFEX alerts of 26 May, 25 May, 18 May, 12 May, 10 May, 6 May, 5 May and 19 April 1999** 14 May 1999 Dear General Secretary Please refer to your […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a letter received by the IFJ from the Embassy
of Pakistan, regarding the arrest of editor Najam Sethi:
**Updates IFEX alerts of 26 May, 25 May, 18 May, 12 May, 10 May, 6 May, 5
May and 19 April 1999**
14 May 1999
Dear General Secretary
Please refer to your letter dated 10 May 1999 addressed to the Prime
Minister of Pakistan regarding Mr. Najam Sethi, Chief Editor of the Friday
Times.
While I am sure you would be receiving a reply to your fax from Islamabad I
would like to convey to you what has already been stated by a Government’s
spokesman. Mr. Sethi was arrested on the specific charge of anti-state
activities falling outside the ambit of legitimate journalistic freedom. It
is not the first time that Mr. Sethi has been arrested. He was arrested in
mid-70s and in mid-80s as well for anti-state activities. He will be
afforded full opportunity to defend himself in accordance with the law.
Let me assure you that there is no “concerted plan of attack against the
independent media on the part of the authorities” as you suggest. The press
in Pakistan enjoys complete freedom, as is evident form the pages of the
newspapers and journals of the country. The elected government is fully
committed to the preservation of the freedom of the press, the rule of law
and protection of the rights of all citizens as it is to safeguarding
Pakistan’s sovereignty and national interest.
Yours sincerely
Ashraf Qureshi
Minister/Deputy Head of Mission
Embassy of Pakistan
