(PPF/IFEX) – On Saturday 10 November 2001, journalist Christina Lamb and photographer Justin Sutcliffe British, from Londonâs “Sunday Telegraph”, were expelled from Pakistan for being involved in activities aimed at “defaming the country”. The British journalists had been detained on 9 November in Quetta and taken to Islamabad, the countryâs capital. Press reports quoting authorities […]
(PPF/IFEX) – On Saturday 10 November 2001, journalist Christina Lamb and photographer Justin Sutcliffe British, from Londonâs “Sunday Telegraph”, were expelled from Pakistan for being involved in activities aimed at “defaming the country”. The British journalists had been detained on 9 November in Quetta and taken to Islamabad, the countryâs capital.
Press reports quoting authorities said that upon reaching the Islamabad Airport lounge, Lamb created a commotion as she tore off her trousers to protest against the expulsion. She was put in a wheelchair by security staff and taken to the plane bound for London. The “Sunday Telegraph” claimed the action came as Lamb uncovered evidence of a covert operation by rogue elements in the Pakistani military intelligence service to smuggle arms to the Taliban. The BBC quoted “Sunday Telegraph” editor Dominic Lawson as saying, “We have been given no reason for the deportations beyond the vaguest generalities” and “Christina was simply carrying out her duties as a journalist.”
However, press reports quoting Pakistani government officials said the deportation was the result of the British journalistâs irresponsible activities aimed at defaming the country. Lamb had stirred up controversy last month by unsuccessfully trying to book an airline ticket from Quetta to Islamabad in the name of Osama Bin Ladin. The matter was reported to the authorities, who considered the episode a serious matter. Lamb described what she did as a joke and said she meant no harm. She said some Pakistani newspapers misreported the matter to make it look like a conspiracy.
