(CPJ/IFEX) – On 27 August 1997, police and private security forces raided the Lahore office of “Pakistan”, an independent Urdu-language daily. According to reports from Pakistan, the newspaper office was raided by Punjab police who continue to occupy the building. The police action is apparently related to a civil financial dispute between Akbar Ali Bhatti, […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – On 27 August 1997, police and private security
forces raided the Lahore office of “Pakistan”, an independent
Urdu-language daily. According to reports from Pakistan, the
newspaper office was raided by Punjab police who continue to
occupy the building. The police action is apparently related to a
civil financial dispute between Akbar Ali Bhatti, the newspaper’s
chief editor and owner, and the Punjab Cooperative Bank,
involving assets -=C4 including the building of the newspaper
office -=C4 mortgaged with the bank. The Lahore High Court has
reportedly ordered the police authorities not to interfere with
the property.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
unable to work freely without fear or harassment because of the
presence of 51 armed policemen and private security forces
circumstances of the occupation
and the Punjab Cooperative Bank will be addressed in accordance
with the rule of law and not by police intimidation
Appeals To
His Excellency Nawaz Sharif
Office of the Prime Minister
Islamabad, Pakistan
Fax: +92 51 821 574 or via Ministry of Education +92 51 825 835His Excellency President Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari
Office of the President
Constitution Avenue
Islamabad, Pakistan
Fax: +92 51 811 390/+92 51 816 060 69Mushahid Hussain
Ministry of Information and Media Development
Islamabad, Pakistan
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
