On 1st June 1995, the chief editor and publisher of the daily “Parcham”, Zahid Qureshi, was arrested by the Karachi police. The printer of the newspaper, Mohammed Ali, was also arrested. Both of them are still detained. The newspaper had reportedly published a “hit list” based on a fax sent to the staff by an […]
On 1st June 1995, the chief editor and publisher of the daily
“Parcham”, Zahid Qureshi, was arrested by the Karachi police. The
printer of the newspaper, Mohammed Ali, was also arrested. Both
of them are still detained.
The newspaper had reportedly published a “hit list” based on a
fax sent to the staff by an organization close to the Mohajir
Qaumi Movement (MQM), with the names of several high officials.
According to our information, the authorities consider the
publication of the list as an incitement to murder.
Besides, the Government of Sindh notified the publisher and
managing editor of the Urdu daily “Public” that, according to the
Registration of Printing Presses and Publications Ordinance, the
evening edition of the newspaper is illegal. “Public” is an
independent publication which is critical about the politics of
the Government of Sindh against MQM.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to Pakistani authorities:
the notice against “Public” are two grave hindrances to press
freedom
Pakistan Newspapers and Periodicals Organisations and the Karachi
Union of Journalists, asking authorities to release Zahid Qureshi
and Mohammed Ali and to withdraw the notice
Appeals To
Her Excellency Prime Minister Mrs Benazir Bhutto
Office of the Prime Minister
Islamabad,Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Fax: +92 51 821 574 or +92 51 825 835
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
