IFJ criticizes harassment and arrest of Pakistani journalists

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 6 May 2016

The IFJ and PFUJ have criticized the arrest of journalists in Pakistan, highlighting a concerning trend of media harassment. They demand the withdrawal of false cases against journalists and a secure working environment.

Summary

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) have condemned the arrest of journalists in Pakistan by local police. The IFJ demanded an immediate withdrawal of all the false cases against journalists and assurance of safe and secure working situation.

On April 29, Iqrarul Hasan, host of popular program Sar-e-Aam on ARY TV and his colleague, Kamran Farooqui were arrested on orders of the Sindh Home Minister, Sohail Anwar Siyal, after they entered the Sindh Assembly with a pistol and presented it to the speaker, highlighting poor security. Hassan was released after 24 hours in custody, but Farooqui was held in judicial custody until May 4 when he was released on bail. The charges against the two journalists include the possession of illegal arms and fraud.

In a separate incident in Lahore, police registered a case against 92 News TV’s Qaisar Khan, after he aired a program to expose the non-action of police in Okara. Khan’s team raised the non-action of police in Okara’s sub-urban area where the locals have complained of dacoits in his program ‘Andher Nagri’. Following his arrest, PFUJ staged a protest outside the Punjab Assembly in support of Khan.

According to the president of the Depalpur Press Club eight journalists were arrested during the protests on May 4 and 5.

PFUJ's Lahore-based leader Rana Muhammad Azeem said: “It was not the first time that police have registered cases against journalists. It has become a routine to harass journalists who expose wrongdoings of the police and government. The PFUJ demands immediate withdrawal of the cases against journalists.”

The IFJ said: “Journalists should never be arrested for simply doing their job. The pattern of arresting and charging journalists who expose weaknesses and wrong doings is a worrying development for Pakistan’s media. The IFJ joins PFUJ in demanding the immediate withdrawal of each of the cases and call for end to the harassment of journalists in Pakistan.” - IFJ media release

KEY POINTS:

• IFJ and PFUJ condemned the arrest of journalists in Pakistan.
• Iqrarul Hasan and Kamran Farooqui were arrested for highlighting security issues.
• Cases registered against journalists have become a routine issue.
• Protests occurred in support of arrested journalists in Lahore.
• Call for withdrawal of cases and an end to journalist harassment.