Media in July 08

In July 08, Lalamusa (Punjab) based Journalist Tabish Ishtiaq was killed on his refusal to pay Jagga tax. He was chief editor of a local newspaper and magazine. Later police arrested two accused for alleged killing of journalist.  

In three incidents of Abduction/Arrest, three journalists were among victims. Taliban abducted two journalists Pir Zubair Shah Wazir and photographer Akhtar Soomro in Ziarat village in Mohmand Agency. Taliban spokesman Dr Asad said: “Our council will meet and decide what to do”. Both work as freelancers for the New York Times. After they were released by Taliban, Mohmand Agency political authorities detained both journalists, a member of the agency’s political authority on condition of anonymity. Unidentified people kidnapped Wiqar Kiyani, a stinger for British newspaper Guardian. He was doing a story on a British national Sohaib Siddiqui. Kiyani was freed after allegedly been tortured with a warning not to follow the story or tell about his ordeal. He was thrown from a vehicle near Mianwali. 

Statistics of Abuses against Media in Pakistan	
July 08	
Area of Incidents	Killing 	Abducted/	Assault/ Injured 	Intimidation 	Ban/	Total 	
		Arrests 			Bar /Censor 		
Islamabad	0	1(1)	1(1)	2	0	4	
Punjab	1 (1)	0	1(3)	6	0	8	
Sindh	0	0	0	0	1	1	
NWFP	0	0	0	2	0	2	
Balochistan	0	0	1(4)	0	0	1	
Tribal Areas	0	2 (2) 	0	4	0	6	
North Areas	0 	0 	0 	0	0	0	
AJ&K	0	0	0	0	0	0	
 (Category wise total	1(1)	3(3)	3(8)	14	1	22	
*(Bracketed figures indicate victims)

Three incidents of Assault/Injured were reported in national print media, in which eight media men were victims. Absar Alam, the Bureau Chief of Geo News, sustained injuries when a gang of drunk louts, shouting that he was anti-Musharraf, attacked him in a five-star hotel. The Secretariat Police, taking abrupt action, arrested eight assailants after lodging an FIR against them under Sections 506, 500, 147 and 149 PPC. Four people were injured when a team of a UK-based TV channel came under fire in Kanak area of Mastung district. The four injured are Pakistani nationals working for the channel — Sikander Ali, Mohammad Hussain, Zafar Hussain and Safar Khan. Daska Police registered a case under section 506 PPC against accused incharge Nadra office Daska Hassan Cheema security guard and other staff for torturing badly three Daska based journalists Muhammad Afzal, Shahbaz Ali Mohsin, and Mian Shahzaib. 

National print media reported 14 abuses of intimidation against media in July 08. Elements of the Lal Masjid protested after Friday prayers against the editorial position of national Daily Aaj Kal which routinely writes against religious extremism and fanaticism in the country. Raising clenched fists in front of TV cameras, the clerics condemned the editorial position of the paper, and pointed to the publication of a cartoon in Daily Aaj Kal which showed the leader of the women students of Lal Masjid, Umme Hassaan, in a burqa, “educating” female students to wage jihad and martyrdom, a position she has reiterated many times in public. Aamir Siddique, Lal Masjid's Muazzin, described the daily as "anti-Jihad" and vowed to teach its editor and publisher a lesson. Taliban threatened four journalists Anwar Shakeel, Zafar Wazir, Din Muhammad and Gull Khan in South Waziristan to give up their profession or face the consequences. They alleged all are involved in making false reports against Taliban militants and local tribesmen. Local Taliban took over a PTV booster in Barang tehsil of Bajaur Agency. Political administration of Bajaur Agency confirmed that a jirga was negotiating with the Taliban to have the compound vacated where the TV booster is located. The Taliban withdrew after the artillery shelling. Local Taliban re-occupied the PTV booster and a levies check post in the Barang tehsil of the Bajur agency. A local journalist Takbeer Khan was criticized by the local administration for assisting Aaj TV anchor Talat Hussain’s visit to Landikotal. Journalists in Landikotal met to condemn Assistant Political Agent (APA) Ghulam Habib Khan’s misbehavior. Authorities in Peshawar directed administration of a monthly magazine Afaq to halt its publication with immediate effect. According to official sources, the authorities were unhappy over publication of interview of Taliban leader Mulvi Faqir Mohammad along with picture. Another Afghan daily Sahar recently ceased its publication from Peshawar under directives of government. The IGP NWFP directed the DPOs and other concerned officials in the circular to lodge FIRs against journalists who file news reports against the police force. Later NWFP police spokesman rebutted the news item. In Punjab, a meeting of Shah Muqeem Press Club district Okara held, journalists expressed their concern at firing on the residence of journalist Sheikh Asad Javed and Sheikh Azhar Javed. Pothar press club Gujar Khan condemned the coercive behavior of local PPP leader against a press reporter Chudhary Shahid. According to details, local PPP leader threatened of dire consequences after publication of a story against land mafia. The police misbehaved with journalists when they tried to cover an attempt by District Nazim Rawalpindi Raja Javed Ikhlas to offer voluntary arrest at the office of the CPO. The police force, led by SP Khurum Shahzad, pushed reporters back from the entry gat harshly and threatened them. Chief Minister Punjab took serious notice about incident in which journalist Abdul Ghafoor’s office was ransacked and threats to his life were given. CM has asked DPO Chakwal to send report within a week. The Garden Town Lahore police registered a case against three unidentified people for threatening a journalist Rana Nadeem of a local newspaper. The journalists of Gujar Khan condemned alleged manhandling of media persons and taking over of the Talagang press club building by some elements. Journalists of local and foreign media protested over what they described as contemptuous attitude Ambassador Hussain Haqqani during the press. The journalists were also stopped from attending the dinner hosted by Haqqani for Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani. During his media briefing, Haqqani once again adopted the path of confrontation and used harsh words against the journalists.

In an incident of Ban, Sindh High Court administration imposed a ban on live transmission of TV channels, entry of political parties’ leaders, activists, and civil society members in SHC building on eve of deposed chief justice’s reception.

In other Developments important to media in Pakistan, The Sindh govt accepted that its predecessor had a discriminatory policy on the allocation of advertisements to Sindhi, Urdu and English newspapers and govt will follow a circulation-cum-merit policy. There are 500 newspapers registered with the Sindh information department but advertisements have only been issued to 100 newspapers. The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) directed all television channels and FM radio stations to stop airing advertisements to be issued by the Punjab govt, July 5, because they did not paid their outstanding dues.  APNS expressed its distress and concern over the stoppage of advertisements to the Mashriq Group, Peshawar, by the provincial government and also termed it a gross violation of the freedom of press. A doctor sued a local journalist in the court of Assistant Political Agent (APA) in Bajaur Agency to stop the media persons from writing against the agency health department. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) awarded 46 FM radio licenses in various cities and districts. 
Pemra issued seven licenses for satellite TV channels, Geo English News, Business Plus, Wikkid Plus, Sachal TV, Urooj TV, Roz TV and VSH TV. The family members of slain journalist of North Waziristan Agency, Hayatullah, was given a cheque for Rs500,000 on behalf of Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik. Kashmir Media Service (KMS) Chief Editor Sheikh Tajammal-ul-Islam expressed dissatisfaction over Pakistani media's role in highlighting the Kashmir issue. Pakistani media was not focusing keenly on the issue as it should. 

Statistics of Abuses against Media in Pakistan	
Since Jan 2008	
Area of Incidents	Killing 	Abducted/	Assault/ Injured 	Intimidation 	Attack on media property 	Restrictions/	Total 	
		Arrests 				Bar /Censor 		
Islamabad	1	1	4	20	1	8	35	
Punjab	1	0	10	17	1	3	32	
Sindh	0	4	3	14	1	2	24	
NWFP	1	1	2	5	0	1	10	
Balochistan	2	2	3	3	0	0	10	
Tribal Areas	1	3	1	7	0	0	12	
North Areas	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	
AJ&K	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	
 (Category wise total	6	11	24	66	3	15	125	

Chronology of incidents in July 08

July 01

Taliban threaten journalists in S Waziristan
                       Local Taliban have threatened four journalists in South Waziristan to give up their profession or face the consequences, a private television channel reported on Monday. According to Dawn News, the threat was issued by pamphlets circulated by local Taliban in the main town of Wana in South Waziristan. They allege that four journalists named as Anwar Shakeel, Zafar Wazir, Din Muhammad and Gull Khan are all involved in making false reports on Taliban militants and local tribesmen, the channel said. Locals confirm that four family members of Din Muhammad including his father, brother and uncle were killed by local Taliban last year, the channel added. 

Only 100 out of 500 newspapers got ads from last govt: Marri
                           The Sindh government has accepted that its predecessor had a discriminatory policy on the allocation of advertisements to Sindhi, Urdu and English newspapers and the government will follow a circulation-cum-merit policy. There are 500 newspapers registered with the Sindh information department but advertisements have only been issued to 100 newspapers. Sindh Information Minister Shazia Marri said this while replying to questions asked by MPAs during a question-and-answer session at the Sindh Assembly on Monday.

Answering a question by MPA Arif Mustafa Jatoi, Marri said that all newspapers fulfilled the merit requirement but the last government did not follow the laid-down advertisement policy. “We have issued instructions to follow the advertisement policy,” said Marri. She told the House that an inquiry could be conducted. The previous government targeted journalists from the print and electronic media but this government has no intention of pressuring the media, she added. 

July 02 

Pemra issues seven TV licences
                       The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Tuesday issued seven licences for satellite TV channels, reiterating its “determination for the provision of information to masses”. According to a press release, Pemra has issued licences for Geo English News, Business Plus, Wikkid Plus, Sachal TV, Urooj TV, Roz TV and VSH TV.

Family of slain journalist gets Rs0.5m cheque
                           The family members of slain journalist of North Waziristan Agency, Hayatullah, was given a cheque for Rs500,000 on behalf of Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik. The cheque was given to Ihsanullah, brother of Hayatullah, at a special function held at Press Club here Tuesday by a senior journalist and President of Bannu Press Club Ajmal Qamar. Speaking on the occasion, he said Hayatullah discharged his professional responsibilities without any fear. He always kept interest of his country and nation supreme. “He always worked to bring factual situation of the area to the press and never misused his pen,” he said.Ajmal thanked Rehman Malik for sending the amount and demanded of the government to support his family. He also demanded of the Political Agent North Waziristan Agency to extend financial support to his six children. 

July 04

Four hurt in attack on British TV team
                       Four people were injured when a team of a UK-based TV channel came under fire in Kanak area of Mastung district on Thursday. According to police sources, the TV personnel were returning to their camp in the area after shooting a documentary film. The four injured are Pakistani nationals working for the channel — Sikander Ali, Mohammad Hussain, Zafar Hussain and Safar Khan. They were brought to the Civil Hospital in the provincial capital. The producer of the documentary and other foreign members of the team are safe. The documentary is about tribal traditions and customs, being filmed with the permission of the provincial government. 

July 05

Taliban kidnap two journalists from Mohmand
                       Taliban have abducted two journalists and a local who entered a militant stronghold in Mohmand Agency. The militants detained freelance reporter Pir Zubair Shah Wazir and photographer Akhtar Soomro in Ziarat village late on Thursday. Taliban spokesman Dr Asad said: “Our council will meet and decide what to do”. “If we find there is contradiction in statements of the two men then we will continue investigation for longer time.” Agency’s chief official Ahmed Jan said a jirga has been formed to secure the release of the journalists. 

July 06 

Geo TV bureau chief attacked in Islamabad hotel
                                 Absar Alam, the Bureau Chief of Geo News, sustained injuries when a gang of drunk louts, shouting that he was anti-Musharraf, attacked him in a five-star hotel when he was coming out from there in the wee hours of Saturday. The Secretariat Police, taking abrupt action, arrested eight assailants after lodging an FIR against them under Sections 506, 500, 147 and 149 PPC. The court of a civil judge, however, released all of the assailants on bail. Absar Alam had lodged a complaint with the Secretariat Police Station, saying that he was coming out of ‚ÄòNadia Restaurant‚Äô of the Marriott Hotel along with a senior journalist Rao Khalid at 2.30 am when some drunk people intercepted him and started using abusive language against him, terming him as anti-Musharraf. ‚ÄúI told them that I am not anti-Musharraf but pro-Pakistan,‚Äù Absar Alam said in his complaint, adding that they flared up and attacked him, alleging that Geo had taken millions of rupees for lawyers and judges for promoting the deposed chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and to defame Musharraf. Meanwhile, two persons ‚Äì Raja Suhail and his friend Naqi Raza Khan ‚Äì who were taking their meals in the ‚ÄúNadia Restaurant‚Äù, asked them not to cross the limits, they started hitting them also and tried to strangulate Raja Suhail and injured them seriously, he added. During the entire episode, the security men of the hotel remained silent spectators. The police, however, taking abrupt action, arrested eight assailants and identified them as Khalid Javed, Ahmad Ayaz, Talha Hasan, Shahzad Ali, Yousuf Jamal, Umar Mansoor, Aurangzeb and Hamad Irfan. The police produced the eight before the court of a civil judge for obtaining their physical or judicial remand but the court released them on bail.

 ‘Media to stop running Punjab govt ads over outstanding bills’
The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) has directed all television channels and FM radio stations to stop airing advertisements to be issued by the Punjab government after midnight Saturday, July 5, because they have not paid their outstanding dues. According to a press release issued from the body here, the PBA said the Punjab government has not paid the electronic media Rs 196.3 million despite several letters and reminders sent by the PBA. The PBA secretary general had even held meetings with the Punjab government authorities to make them understand the gravity of the situation, but all in vain. “The suspension directive will not only stop the advertising of all programs and projects of the Government of Punjab, but will also suspend the business placed by any of its autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies,” the press release mentioned. The press release said that not making such huge payments to a struggling media industry went against government claims it has ensured exemplary freedom to the media. “This can only be called an instrument to strangle the freedom of expression, which is by no means democratic,” the press release added.

July 07 

Political authorities arrest journalists freed by Taliban’
Mohmand Agency political authorities on Sunday arrested two journalists released by the Taliban a day earlier, a member of the agency’s political authority told Daily Times on condition of anonymity.  The Taliban had kidnapped Pir Zubair Shah, Akhtar Soomro and their local facilitator, Malak Abdul Hassan on Friday, before freeing them after intervention from local elders on Saturday evening. All three have been in the custody of the political authorities since their release, the official said. However, the agency’s political agent and assistant political agent were not available for comment. The official said that while Malak Abdul Hassan had been put transferred to a jail, the two journalists were being detained at an undisclosed location.

July 08

PFUJ concerned over violence against journalists
Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the recent incidents of manhandling, kidnapping, unlawful confinement and torture of journalists. Citing incidents of violence against Pir Zubair Shah, Akhtar Soomro of New York Times, Absar Alam of GEO channel, and Wiqar Kiyani of the Guardian, the PFUJ demanded stern action against those responsible.  PFUJ secretary-general Mazhar Abbas in a statement issued here on Monday also condemned registration of cases against journalists in interior of Sindh. He demanded withdrawal of all those cases registered against journalists since November 27 last year. PFUJ condemned the manhandling of the senior journalist and bureau chief of GEO, Islamabad, Absar Alam allegedly by the relatives and friends of former Punjab chief minister. Those responsible for the incident were released by the police after few hours. “Those who tried to assault Mr Alam must be taken to task ,” it said.
In another incident unidentified people kidnapped Wiqar Kiyani, an stinger for British newspaper Guardian on Sunday night. Earlier, on his return from Karachi, where he was doing a story on a British national Sohaib Siddiqui.

He was told that his house in G-8/1, was raided by unknown persons. But apparently nothing was robbed or were found missing from his home. He disappeared an hour after he contacted PFUJ and informed about his ordeal. Mr Kiyani was freed after allegedly been tortured with a warning not to follow the story or tell about his ordeal. He was thrown from a vehicle near Mianwali.

Following the release of two abducted journalists — Pir Zubair Shah and Akhtar Soomro — by Taliban, they were detained allegedly by the security agencies for questioning and have not been freed yet.

The statement said Federal Information Minister Sherry Rehman had assured the PFUJ that she would take up these incidents with the authorities concerned. “These incidents were of grave concern for us and simply unacceptable,” PFUJ secretary-general said.

July 11

Firing on journalist’s home condemned
                       A meeting of Shah Muqeem Press Club was held with its president Mirza Muhammad Arshad in the chair Thursday. A large number of journalists attended it and expressed their concern at firing on the residence of journalist Sheikh Asad Javed and Sheikh Azhar Javed. A resolution was passed which condemned the incident and demanded the immediate arrest of people involved in the firing. Irfan Naveed Ghori, chief organiser of the press club, and Rizwan Ullah Kokab, organiser expressing their grave concern on the incident said the journalists of the area would resist every effort curbing the freedom of press.

July 12

Extremists threaten Daily Aaj Kal
Elements of the Lal Masjid on Friday protested after Friday prayers against the editorial position of national Daily Aaj Kal which routinely writes against religious extremism and fanaticism in the country. Raising clenched fists in front of TV cameras, the clerics condemned the editorial position of the paper, and pointed to the publication of a cartoon in Daily Aaj Kal which showed the leader of the women students of Lal Masjid, Umme Hassaan, in a burqa, “educating” female students to wage jihad and martyrdom, a position she has reiterated many times in public. 

The clerics chanted slogans and warned the editor-in-chief and publisher not to “test their patience”. Aamir Siddique, Naib Khateeb of Lal Masjid, addressed the protest demonstration after Friday prayers and said that their “movement” cannot be stopped by any such “propaganda”. He said those responsible for the bloodshed in Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa would have to pay the price.
“This is an attack on the freedom of the press,” said the editor of the paper, who called upon all media bodies to rise to the occasion and be counted. 
The management of the paper immediately informed the administration in Islamabad, provoking a strong reaction against the extremists from the government.

Lal Masjid clerics threatening newspaper
                      Previously, some students and clerics of the Lal Masjid had threatened the staff of a national Urdu daily of serious consequences during a protest on July 11. Addressing a demonstration after Friday prayers, Aamir Siddique, Lal Masjid's Muazzin, described the particular daily as "anti-Jihad" and vowed to teach its editor and publisher a lesson. According to reports, the paper's staff has also received threatening telephone calls from individuals allegedly connected to the Lal Masjid. A cartoon published in the paper depicting Umme Hassan asking female students to wage Jihad and embrace martyrdom had apparently provoked the Lal Masjid students and clerics. The paper had also published an editorial against religious terrorism and militancy in Pakistan. "The threats from the Lal Masjid are worrying given their previous record," said Ali Dayan Hasan, Senior South Asia Researcher at the Human Rights Watch. "Pakistan's government should stop them from perpetrating crimes against their fellow-citizens or resuming their role of self-appointed policemen," Hasan said. The clerics and students of the Lal Masjid had been engaged in many illegal activities such as kidnappings, vigilante attacks, arson, threats and coercion in and around Islamabad ñ a sequence of events that culminated in the siege and storming of the mosque by the security forces on July 2007. Umme Hassan, among other leaders of the mosque, has several criminal charges pending against her. The Human Rights Watch also welcomed the prompt condemnation of the threats by the government.

July 13

Kashmiri journalist concerned at Pak media role
            Kashmir Media Service (KMS) Chief Editor Sheikh Tajammal-ul-Islam has expressed dissatisfaction over Pakistani media's role in highlighting the Kashmir issue. Talking to reporters here at a local hotel, he said that Pakistani media was not focusing keenly on the issue as it should. Tajammal said that the media should play a key role in highlighting the atrocities and injustices on the part of Indian army in the valley. This would help convince the international community that Kashmiri people should be given the right to self-determination. He also stressed the need to highlight the political, social and humanitarian problems faced by the people of occupied Kashmir. "Pakistani media should appoint correspondents in the valley. If it is not possible, it should make contact with the local media to get information about news," Tajammal said. 

July 15

Doctor files lawsuit against journalist in Bajaur
                             A doctor sued a local journalist in the court of Assistant Political Agent (APA) in Bajaur Agency on Monday to stop the media persons from writing against the agency health department. The lawsuit of Rs 5 million was filed after story of a local Sher Bahadur Khan was published in a newspaper in which he had claimed that the agency hospital surgical in charge Dr Noor Alam operated on him at his clinic on a wrong place which aggravated his condition and he had to be shifted to Peshawar for further treatment. However, the Peshawar hospital refused to admit him due to the ‘abortive surgical procedure’ and he had to go back to Bajaur. He said that Dr Noor Mohammad was responsible for his condition.

July 16 

Monthly asked to halt publication immediately 
With escalation of tension on western border along Afghanistan, the authorities in Peshawar directed administration of a monthly magazine to halt its publication with immediate effect. The monthly Afaq started its publication some 15 months ago; authorities directed the owner and publisher of magazine to stop its publication immediately. According to official sources, the authorities were unhappy over publication of interview of Taliban leader Mulvi Faqir Mohammad along with picture in magazine. Owned by Haji Ayub monthly Afaq was considered to be a neutral magazine, advocating for return of peace and stability in Afghanistan. Another Afghan daily Sahar recently ceased its publication from peshwar under directives of government.

APNS concerned over stoppage of ads to media group
                                The APNS has expressed its distress and concern over the stoppage of advertisements to the Mashriq Group, Peshawar, by the provincial government and also termed it a gross violation of the freedom of press. The Executive Committee meeting of the APNS, held on July 15, 2008 in Karachi under the chairmanship of Hameed Haroon, President APNS, considered the complaints of the member publications from Balochistan, the Punjab and Sindh, strongly noting that the PID and the provincial information departments were releasing advertisements on the basis of favouritism and malpractices, which had almost destroyed the economies of genuine publications. The Executive Committee decided that a delegation, headed by Muhammad Aslam Kazi and comprising Fasieh Iqbal, Jamil Ather, Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami, Syed Ayaz Badshah, Dr Jabbar Khattak, Sharif Farooq, Pir Sufaid Shah Hamdard and Khushnood Ali Khan, would call on the NWFP chief minister and leaders of the Awami National Party, Asfandyar Wali Khan and Afrasiab Khattak, to discuss the issue. The delegation will submit a report to the president for further action on the matter. The Executive Committee also advised the conveners of all the provincial committees and the Federal Capital Committee to hold their meetings within a week and discuss in detail the situation of the federal and provincial government advertisements to publications based in their respective regions. The APNS executive director was directed to attend the meetings and prepare a report on the allocation of the government advertisements to publications. 

July 17

Journalists for action against PPP leader
                              Pothar press club Gujar Khan Wednesday condemned the coercive behavior of local PPP leader against a press reporter and demanded party high ups to take action against irresponsible the said leader. Press club also threatened to boycott the news coverage of local PPP leader if no action was taken against him. According to details, local PPP leader threatened a reporter of local Urdu newspaper, Chudhary Shahid of dire consequences after publication of a story against land mafia. 

July 19

Reporters pushed, shoved
                     The police on Friday misbehaved with journalists when they tried to cover an attempt by District Nazim Raja Javed Ikhlas to offer voluntary arrest at the office of the CPO. The police force, led by SP Khurum Shahzad, pushed reporters back from the entry gat harshly and threatened them. 

July 23

IGP takes notice for misinformation against police, orders action against journalists
                       Inspector General Police NWFP Malik Naveed Khan has taken serious notice for propaganda campaign damaging the credibility of police. He has issued orders to take legal action against journalists responsible to malign the credibility of police and police officials through fake and baseless stories. In this regard a circular has been issued to all DPOs and regional police officials. 

Journalists flay police move to gag press
The Crimes Journalists Forum (CJF) has condemned the circular issued by the NWFP Inspector General of Police to the deputy inspector generals and district police officers across the province asking them to lodge cases against journalists. Regretting the move the journalists termed the circular as an attempt to gag the press and create misunderstanding between the provincial government and mediapersons in the Frontier. CJF president Javed Aziz Khan and general secretary Imran Bukhari have condemned the circular issued by the IGP, saying the move is aimed at stopping journalists from unearthing the wrongdoings being committed by policemen at the behest of their bosses. “The IGP has directed the DPOs and other concerned officials in the circular to lodge FIRs against journalists who file news reports against the police force,” they alleged. They added that officers were also directed to file criminal cases in courts against reporters if they filed anything against the police. The act by a responsible police official, they said, had exposed the tall claims of the federal and provincial governments about the freedom of press. “The issuance of the circular was aimed at irritating journalists and defaming the government,” the CJF leaders said. They said that the circular was an attempt to frighten journalists through police action so they could not report anything against those misusing their official status. They said it was duty of the newsmen to serve the country and the nation and to unveil truth about the misuse of power by the black sheep, who were exploiting people in the guise of police personnel.

Police denies receiving anti-media instructions
                     The NWFP police spokesman Thursday rebutted a news item published in national English and Urdu dailies claiming that the police chief has allegedly asked the force to be tough with the newsmen. The reported news items had been stated that the NWFP police chief had allegedly issued instructions to all the DIGs and district police officers across the province to take action and lodge cases against journalists who file news reports against the force. He termed it totally baseless and out of content of the said letter. Clarifying the factual position, the spokesman said the IGP believes in strong and free press and took steps time to time for reformation in the force in light of independent news and views telecast/published in the media. He further clarified that the instruction issued to the DIGs and DPOs in the said circular were merely to put a check on journalists involved in yellow journalism, who for fulfilling their nefarious designs, were not only blackmailing the police force but also bringing bad name for their sacred profession. 

July 25

Journalist faces criticism for arranging TV interviews
                          A local journalist was criticised by the local administration on Thursday for assisting Aaj TV anchor Talat Hussain’s visit to Landikotal. 
Journalists in Landikotal met at the press club to condemn Assistant Political Agent (APA) Ghulam Habib Khan’s misbehaviour with Takbeer Khan for helping with Hussain’s visit. Hussain had arrived in Torkham to interview transporters and other people on the security situation in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). “The APA says I have defamed the Shinwari tribe by arranging the interviews,” Takbeer Khan told Daily Times.

Pemra awards 46 more FM radio licences
                   The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Thursday awarded 46 FM radio licences in various cities and districts. The 46 licences were given during two-day bidding which were addition to 116 FM radio licenses the Pemra had issued earlier in first five phases. The highest bid amount of Rs370.6 million was offered by Printek and Athena Entertainment for setting up FM radio station at Karachi, followed by Rs333.8 million offered by Northern Media and Athena for one licence each at Lahore. The successful companies would be required to start operation within one year after the award of licenses. Addressing the bidding ceremony, executive member Pemra, Ahmad Mahmood Zahid said since its inception in 2002, Pemra has taken all out efforts to fill the national landscape with all modern forms of electronic media. He said out of 116 FM radio licenses issued earlier, 93 have successfully gone on-air while the rest would soon enter the fray. He credited this boom in electronic media to the government's commitment to freed media and to Pemra for raising the pubic awareness. Complete freedom and facilitation offered by the present government has served as a catalyst for the unprecedented development of electronic media, he added. He said during the first 100 days of present government, licenses for 16 satellite TV channels, 10 FM radio and 232 cable TV have been given apart from permission for 2 Landing Rights. Mr Zahid urged the successful bidders to ensure the healthy flow of information-entertainment and educate the public in conformity with the national interest. 

July 26

Nadra officials booked for torturing journalists
The city daska Police have registered a case under section 506 PPC against accused incharge Nadra office Daska Hassan Cheema security guard and other staff for torturing badly three Daska based journalists. According to FIR lodged by local journalist Shahbaz Ali Mohsin, three Daska based journalist Muhammad Afzal, Shahbaz Ali Mohsin, and Mian Shahzaib were listening public complaints o