National Press Club dismisses DawnNews story as false

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 7 August 2015

The President of the National Press Club dismissed a DawnNews report about tree felling on the club's premises as false. He stated that no trees were cut and emphasized the club's dedication to planting more greenery.

Summary

ISLAMBAD: Shaharyar Khan, President National Press Club Friday dismissed as false a DawnNews Television report that claimed Capital Development Authority (CDA) had fined them Rs30000 for felling trees. The channel reported nine trees and 11 other plants on the club's lawns were chopped and this could lead to arrests of relevant persons if fine was not paid on time. Talking to JournalismPakistan.com, Khan rebutted veracity of the report saying, “nobody has cut trees on the premises of the club. It is false news.” He said that if a journalist has got any grievances against the club, he should raise them in the General Body meeting instead of doing false stories. “The reporter has run the story just to settle a score with the club's office-bearers,” he said, adding that opponents of NPC office-bearers should prepare to contest the next election instead of resorting to blackmailing through baseless stories. He said the NPC management has planted hundreds of saplings on the club lawns to enhance greenery and vegetation. “We can’t even think of cutting trees. The news run by DawnNews is just propaganda,” he said.

KEY POINTS:

• Shaharyar Khan rejected DawnNews report on tree felling as false.
• CDA allegedly fined the club for cutting trees; report dismissed.
• Khan claims no trees have been cut on club premises.
• NPC has planted hundreds of saplings to enhance vegetation.
• Criticism of the report suggests it is an attempt to settle scores.