Another journalist of The News threatened

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 14 April 2014 |  JP Staff Reporter

Ahmad Noorani, a journalist for The News, has reported receiving threats via phone and social media from retired Brigadier Tarik Niazi. The Cyber Crimes Wing is currently investigating these threats.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: Another journalist working for The News has been threatened through phone calls and the social media reportedly by a retired brigadier.

Ahmad Noorani (pictured) who works out of Islamabad has reported the matter to the Cyber Crimes Wing of Federal Investigation Agency, The News said Monday.

The paper reported that Brig (Retd) Tarik Niazi sent abusive messages and threats through Twitter and Facebook.

In his messages, the brigadier said he was in Islamabad and invited Noorani to meet him to settle scores. The paper said the journalist also received three threatening phone calls from this individual on April 12.

The same day, Ansar Abbasi, Editor of Investigations at The News Islamabad received a threatening email message warning him to "behave" and "weigh the pros and cons" of his words.

The sender "Khaki Power' using the email ID khaki@safe-mail.net wrote: "This is not a reminder, it is a serious suggestion. Behave yourself and weigh the pros and cons of your words. Sometimes it is hazardous to bite the hand that once fed it.

"Skeletons can fall out of anyone's closets miraculously from the heavens and effectively ruin a "journalists" career. And we all have skeletons. Good day."

However, The News thought these latest threats could also be the work of some vested interests wanting to defame the Pakistan Army.

KEY POINTS:

• Ahmad Noorani threatened by retired Brigadier Tarik Niazi.
• Received abusive messages on social media and phone calls.
• The matter has been reported to the Cyber Crimes Wing.
• Editor Ansar Abbasi also received threatening communication.
• Threats may be linked to vested interests against the Pakistan Army.