(PPF/IFEX) – On 4 February 1999, Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered the government to release 200 of the 1,093 reels of impounded newsprint to the Jang Group of newspapers. **Updates IFEX alerts of 8 February, 5 February, 3 February, 2 February, 1 February and 8 January 1999, 16 December and 15 December 1998** After the contempt […]
(PPF/IFEX) – On 4 February 1999, Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered the
government to release 200 of the 1,093 reels of impounded newsprint to
the Jang Group of newspapers.
**Updates IFEX alerts of 8 February, 5 February, 3 February, 2 February,
1 February and 8 January 1999, 16 December and 15 December 1998**
After the contempt of court petition by the Jang Group, a notice was
sent to the respondents, Chairman Central Board of Revenue (CBR), to
present their point of view. The court was told that if the newsprint
was not released, the Jang Group would not be able to print their
newspapers until 9 February, the date given to the respondents to file
their comments. They also asked the court to appoint an official to have
the order carried out, as the previous order releasing all 1,093 reels,
dated 1 February, was not carried out by the CBR.
After the Supreme Court ruling, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)
and local policemen cordoned off the daily “Jang”‘s printing press and
tried to stop the newspaper’s publication. FIA officials said that they
had received orders not to allow the newsprint to the press.
The vehicle leaving the press with copies of the Group’s evening
newspaper, “Awam”, was stopped by police and only allowed to leave when
the editor of “Awam” reached the press and argued with the policemen.
At night, a trailer was parked in front of the main door by police and
the FIA, who checked all cars coming towards the press, harassed the
press’ staff and turned back cars of the group. The FIA and police took
away a newspaper truck loaded with eight reels of newsprint belonging to
the Jang Group, which was later released further to the intervention of
Senior District Magistrate (SDM) Jamali.
The editorial and technical staff had to rush to the press several times
to argue with the police and FIA men to stop the harassment. Various
trade and journalist bodies have urged the Sindh governor to take notice
of the FIA intimidation.
