Articles by Pakistan Press Foundation
Government lifts ban on newspapers
(PPF/IFEX) – On 1 August 2002, the government of Pakistan’s southern province of Sindh lifted the suspension of the dailies “Morning Special” and “Evening Special”, in Karachi. The two publications were suspended on 17 July on charges of publishing obscene material. The government also directed the police to unseal the offices of the publications.
Editor abducted by intelligence agency officers and later released
(PPF/IFEX) – Muzaffar Ejaz, editor of the Karachi-based Urdu-language daily “Jasarat”, was picked up by intelligence agency officers as he left his office on 25 July 2002, at approximately 11:00 p.m. (local time). He was interrogated and released at 4:00 a.m. the following morning. According to press reports, the editorâs abduction was the culmination of […]
Prosecution, defence file appeals in Pearl case
(PPF/IFEX) – The following is a PPF news alert: Karachi, July 19: Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, sentenced to death for the kidnapping and murder of the Wall Street Journal correspondent Daniel Pearl, today filed an appeal in the Sindh High Court challenging his conviction on July 16. The appeal was filed on his behalf by […]
Two newspapers forced to close for one month, editors arrested
(PPF/IFEX) – On 17 July 2002, the government of Pakistan’s southern province of Sindh sealed the offices of two newspapers, “Evening Special” and “Morning Special”, and arrested their respective editors. The police raided the offices of both newspapers on the orders of the provincial Home Department and sealed them for a one-month period. The police […]
Principal accused in kidnapping and murder of “Wall Street Journal” reporter Daniel Pearl receives death sentence, three co-accused receive 25-year sentences
(PPF/IFEX) – Sheikh Omar Saeed, the principal accused in the kidnapping and murder of “Wall Street Journal” reporter Daniel Pearl, was sentenced to death on 15 July 2002 in a Hyderabad court. The sentence was announced by the Anti-Terrorism Court in the city of Hyderabad. The court also handed down 25-year prison sentences to the […]
Political party activists attack newspaper office
(PPF/IFEX) – On 26 June 2002, activists from a political party attacked the bureau of a weekly newspaper in Gilgit over the publication’s refusal to print a statement from their district president. According to press reports, at around 12:30 p.m. (local time), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) activists barged into the offices of the weekly “Naqqara” […]
President Musharraf condemns killing of journalist Daniel Pearl
(PPF/IFEX) – The following is a PPF news release: Pakistani President Musharraf condemns death of Daniel Pearl Journalists, politicians and civic leaders, including Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, have condemned the death of Daniel Pearl, South Asian bureau chief for the Wall Street Journal. President Pervez Musharraf, on February 22, expressed his deep grief at the […]
Group claims to be holding “The Wall Street Journal” reporter
(PPF/IFEX) – A previously unknown group, The National Movement for the Restoration of Pakistani Sovereignty, sent an e-mail message to newspapers claiming it had captured Daniel Pearl, a reporter from “The Wall Street Journal”. Pearl disappeared on Wednesday 23 January 2002 while in Karachi to interview leaders of radical Islamic groups. A number of news […]