Articles by Pakistan Press Foundation
NWFP Assembly staff attack journalists covering proceedings
(PPF/IFEX) – On 10 September 2003, allegedly on the orders of the speaker of the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) Assembly, the entire staff of the Assembly Secretariat attacked journalists covering the assembly proceedings. According to reports, infuriated secretariat staff members carrying sticks and iron bars damaged the motorcycles of journalists who had parked in front […]
Complaints filed against nine journalists for “interference in official affairs”
(PPF/IFEX) – On 21 August 2003, Mahmoodul Haq, the tehsil nazim (municipal administrator) of the town of Sheikhupura, in Punjab province, filed complaints against nine local journalists, including the press club president and secretary-general, claiming they had interfered in official affairs. According to press reports, Haq became angry after articles were published alleging that he […]
Six journalists arrested in Hyderabad
(PPF/IFEX) – On 26 August 2003, police arrested six journalists under the terrorism act during a visit of the president, General Pervez Musharraf, to Hyderabad. They were charged with disturbing the peace and committing violent acts. According to press reports, the journalists were covering a demonstration staged by the women’s branch of the Sindh Chandia […]
FBI investigating Pakistani journalist
(PPF/IFEX) – Pakistan’s embassy in the United States (US) has written a letter to the State Department drawing attention to the investigation of Nayyar Zaidi, a Washington correspondent for the daily “Jang”, the flagship publication of Pakistan’s largest media group, by US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents. The letter, signed by the deputy chief […]
“Newsweek” edition to be confiscated
(PPF/IFEX) – The Pakistan government has decided to block distribution of an upcoming edition of the international magazine “Newsweek”, as it allegedly contains material “against Islam and the holy Quran”. According to press reports, the order was issued on 23 July 2003 by the federal minister for information and broadcasting, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad. Customs authorities […]
Government allows media cross-ownership
(PPF/IFEX) – In a landmark decision, the government has decided to allow media cross-ownership, enabling owners of newspapers and magazines to own and operate television and radio stations. The cabinet took the decision to amend the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Ordinance on 12 July 2003. Information and Broadcasting Minister Shaikh Rashid Ahmed said […]
Quetta city government imposes media restrictions due to sectarian and ethnic tensions
(PPF/IFEX) – On 10 July 2003, the municipal government of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, imposed a number of restrictions on the media in light of ethnic and sectarian tensions caused by a recent bomb explosion that killed dozens of people at a Shiite mosque. The municipal government issued a notice prohibiting newspapers from […]
Journalist appeals blasphemy conviction
**Updates IFEX alerts of 9 July 2003, 12 March, 20, 2 and 1 February and 30 January 2001** (PPF/IFEX) – On 10 July 2003, Munawar Mohsin, sub-editor of the Peshawar-based “Frontier Post” newspaper, who was convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to life imprisonment and a fine of 50,000 rupees (approx. US$860), filed an appeal in […]