JournalismPakistan.com | Published August 30, 2021
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD—Through the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Pakistani government has demanded 'The Times' clarify and retract its misleading and frivolous interpretation of NSA Dr. Moeed Yusuf's interview with journalist Christina Lamb.
According to the state-owned newswire APP, a formal demand that the story is immediately retracted and this clarification published has also been sent to the newspaper by the Pakistan High Commission in the United Kingdom.
In a press release, the NSA stated that a recent story, Work with the Taliban or Repeat the Horror of the 1990s, West Told, authored by Christina Lamb, was published in The Times on August 28, 2021. The said story has wrongly interpreted the viewpoint of Dr. Moeed Yusuf, it emphasized.
The story's subtitle reads, "Risk a second 9/11 if you don't recognize Afghanistan's new leaders, Pakistan's national security adviser warns." This connotation was fabricated and wrongly attributed to the National Security Adviser (NSA), it said, adding that "It is a gross mischaracterization of the conversation that took place between Ms. Lamb and the NSA."
Ms. Lamb interviewed the NSA on record in his office in Islamabad on Friday, August 27, 2021. At no point did Dr. Moeed state that the West should "immediately recognize" the Taliban, as the article states. Nor was there any "warning" of a second 9/11 linked to formal "recognition" of the Taliban.
This is a highly inflammatory mischaracterization of his remarks, one that smacks of unprofessional journalism.
It can cause significant harm to Pakistan's actual position and interests that are, in reality, aligned with the international community, with whom Pakistan continues to work as a partner in Afghanistan.
Pakistan categorically rejects the very obvious and deliberately sensational drift of the article's title and sub-title and misrepresentation on the issue of "recognition," which leads readers to a very different conclusion than what was said. They amount to twisting both the words and spirit of the NSA's remarks.
"We have also noted that the author of the article recorded the interview and is welcome to release the entire recording for the readers of the newspaper to hear for themselves the NSA's full remarks," the statement said.
October 03, 2024: Veteran journalists condemn threats made by TLP leader Anas Rizvi against senior journalist Azaz Syed, urging the government to take immediate action to ensure his safety and protect press freedom.
September 30, 2024: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned an attack on journalists in Karachi by religious party workers, calling for an FIR and immediate arrests of the perpetrators.
September 30, 2024: Dr. Saadia Kamal has made history by becoming the first female president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ-Workers), a significant milestone for her career and Pakistani journalism. Learn about her exceptional journey, years of service, leadership in various media roles, and dedication to ethical journalism.
September 28, 2024: The winners of the Pakistan RTI Quiz Contest 2024, organized by the Pakistan Information Commission and the Press Network of Pakistan, have been announced. Promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance, the quiz highlighted the importance of the Right to Information and citizen empowerment.
September 28, 2024: Explore the alarming rise of online trolling and harassment faced by women journalists in Pakistan, highlighting recent cases involving anchors like Shiffa Z. Yousafzai and Asma Chaudhry. This article delves into the societal challenges these women encounter and the urgent need for action against online abuse
September 27, 2024: TV anchor Shiffa Z. Yousafzai has refuted false rumors about her marriage, calling attention to the harassment working women face in a male-dominated society. She urges social media platforms to remove false content and calls people to stand against such targeting.
September 26, 2024: The Information Department Lahore has issued letters to cancel the declarations of numerous newspapers in Punjab, sparking concerns about press freedom, particularly in South Punjab. The delayed notification has raised questions about transparency and the future of local journalism.
September 26, 2024: A UN expert calls on Kenyan and Pakistani authorities to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the 2022 killing of Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif, following a historic ruling by the Kenyan High Court deeming the killing unlawful and disproportionate.
October 02, 2024 Cambodian investigative journalist Mech Dara was arrested on incitement charges by military police. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) calls for his immediate release, urging Cambodia’s new leadership to respect press freedom.
September 25, 2024 The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the Israeli forces' raid on Al Jazeera's office in Ramallah, which resulted in a 45-day closure and the obstruction of reporting during critical times. CPJ emphasizes the importance of allowing journalists to report freely, especially amid ongoing conflicts.
September 25, 2024 Journalist Hadi Al-Sayed, working with Al Mayadeen Media Network, was killed after an Israeli airstrike hit his home in southern Lebanon. He is the fourth journalist to be killed by Israel since October 7, raising global concerns over the safety of journalists in conflict zones. Press unions demand justice and accountability for the targeted attacks.
September 24, 2024 Broadcast journalist Salman Ali Khan was fatally shot by unknown assailants in Madhya Pradesh, India. The IFJ and IJU demand a thorough investigation into the killing. Khan is the third journalist killed in India in 2024, raising concerns over media safety.
September 23, 2024 Explore the rising voices of independent media in Africa, their impact on democracy, and the challenges they face. Discover how these journalists are shaping narratives and empowering communities across the continent.