PFUJ writes to prime minister after journalists named in Fourth Schedule

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 7 March 2016

The PFUJ has formally requested Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to intervene regarding journalists in Balochistan being placed on the Fourth Schedule. Their inclusion raises significant concerns about the treatment of media professionals under anti-terrorism measures.

Summary

ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has written a letter to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asking him to take notice of Balochistan journalists' names being included in the Fourth Schedule.

The Fourth Schedule is a section of the ATA under which someone suspected of terrorism is kept under observation and it is mandatory for him to register his attendance with the local police regularly.

The Balochistan government's list has names of 90 people allegedly having links with banned organizations. Among those on the list are Vice President of Dalbadin Press Club, Ali Raza Rind, and Quetta journalist Ghafoor Lango.

These journalists were summoned to the police station and told they cannot go to another region without seeking prior permission from the local authorities. They have been asked to provide details of their bank accounts, passports and national ID cards.

The PFUJ President Afzal Butt and Secretary Khursheed Abbasi who wrote the letter, said Monday that Ali Raza Rind was a full-time journalist and has a clean record, hence his name being put on the list was regrettable.

They said the PFUJ fully supports the National Action Plan but using it to target journalists was not fair. The union has appealed that this matter should be investigated at the highest level.

Copies of the PFUJ's letter have also been sent to minister for interior, and the information minister.