(PPF/IFEX) – According to PPF, Shahzad Saleemi, journalist and General Secretary of the Jhang Union of Journalists (JUJ) was recently arrested further to the publication of an item in his newspaper levelling allegations of corruption against an Education Officer (EO), Ljaz Zafar, who is the subject of several ongoing investigations in different courts. With the […]
(PPF/IFEX) – According to PPF, Shahzad Saleemi, journalist and General
Secretary of the Jhang Union of Journalists (JUJ) was recently arrested
further to the publication of an item in his newspaper levelling allegations
of corruption against an Education Officer (EO), Ljaz Zafar, who is the
subject of several ongoing investigations in different courts.
With the collusion of some employees of the telephone department, Zafar’s
husband lodged a complaint against Saleemi with local Additional
Superintendent Police (ASP) under Telegraph Act 29, section 506, levelling
false allegations of misuse of his telephone and making obnoxious calls. The
police arrested Saleemi, without producing an arrest warrant, in a raid
conducted by a heavy police contingent.
In an emergency meeting, JUJ and Press Club unanimously decided to boycott
news items and other functions of the local police department, to protest
the registration of a false case and illegal arrest of Saleemi. They also
demanded an impartial inquiry into the case by higher authorities.
It was also decided that the boycott would continue until the journalists’
demands were accepted. At least two similar cases have already been
registered against other local journalists. Jhang Union of Journalists also
demanded that the Chairman and General Manger of the Pakistan
Telecommunications Corporation (PTCL) take legal action against the
employees who violated the PTCL Secrecy Law.
JUJ and Press Club have also boycotted the publication of handouts issued by
the local Assistant Director of Public Relations as a protest against his
unfavourable attitude towards the journalists.
