Pakistan Government Must Honour Pledge to IFJ

Journalists in <country-region w:st="on"> <place w:st="on">Pakistan</place> </country-region> have called on the Government of Pervez Musharraf to implement its commitment to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) that it would support a free and independent media.

 

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), an affiliate of the IFJ, has asked the IFJ to send a “crisis” mission to the country to remind government officials of their pledge to support a free press, and to meet with journalists who are defying the Government’s media crackdown, imposed through emergency decrees issued at the weekend.

 

In February this year, a team of IFJ representatives met senior government officials in <country-region w:st="on"> <place w:st="on">Pakistan</place> </country-region> to voice concerns about the growing dangers for journalists working in the country. They were reassured then that the Government would defend press freedom and the safety of media personnel.

 

“The Government of Pakistan must fulfill its commitment to a free and independent media,” said the IFJ’s Regional Director, Jacqueline Park. “This commitment is not a matter of window-dressing; it is fundamental to a democratic and stable <country-region w:st="on"> <place w:st="on">Pakistan</place> </country-region>.”

 

The PFUJ, at a meeting of its Executive Council on Tuesday night, condemned the emergency decrees, the PFUJ’s Secretary-General, Mazhar Abbas, said today.

 

 

It issued an ultimatum to the Government to withdraw the decrees and restore media broadcasts within 48 hours. Otherwise, Friday will be declared a “black day” during which journalists will wear black arm bands, hoist black flags and continue their boycott on reporting official government functions.

 


 


With the support of the IFJ, the PFUJ has called for a Global Day of Action on 15 November. IFJ affiliates and other press freedom supporters will organise protests at <country-region w:st="on"> <place w:st="on">Pakistan</place> </country-region>’s embassies or missions, and write letters to President Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to protest the crackdown. 

 


 


Mr Abbas said he is not aware of any media personnel still in detention since the release on Tuesday night of five photographers and TV cameramen in <city w:st="on"> <place w:st="on">Karachi</place> </city>. The five had appeared in a local court wearing handcuffs before the Karachi Union of Journalists secured their release. The group was arrested on Monday during a protest by civil society organisations outside the Karachi Press Club.

 



In <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Lahore</city></place> today, it was reported that police assaulted protesting lawyers, as well as media personnel covering the protest.

 

 

In <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Peshawar</city></place> on Tuesday, police blocked access to the Peshawar Press Club to prevent critical commentary of the Government, club president Muhammad Riaz said. Some opposition politicians instead invited journalists to secret locations for interviews.