Author: Freedom of Expression – Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

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Two cops, journalist killed during operation in Katcha area

SUKKUR: Two policemen and a photo journalist were martyred, while eight others, including two Station House Officers, injured in a rocket attack on police armoured personnel carrier (APC) by the Katcha dacoits of Gharhi Tegho in district Shikarpur.

The Larkana Police carried out the operation in the Katcha areas of Shikarpur and Sukkur to demolish hideouts of Khero Teghani and Munir Misrani Jatoi, where the criminals attacked the police party with rocket fire, in which two policemen and a photojournalist of a local newspaper, identified as Haseeb Sheikh, who was also accompanying the police in the APC, were killed.

The martyred cops were identified as Munawwar Jatoi and Saeed Mahar. The operation was launched to recover six abducted persons, residents of Khanpur, from the Katcha area of Shikarpur.

SHO New Foujidari, and SHO Khanpur received injuries, while cops Sajjad Chandio, Asadullah Pahnwar and Imran Soomro were also among the injured. SSP Shikarpur Captain (retd) Ameer Saud Magsi said the operation against the dacoits would continue till the recovery of the abducted persons. He said during the operation, four abductees, identified as Wahid Ali, Shoukat Sethar, Osama and Abid Golo were rescued, who were kidnapped by the dacoits on May 2, 2021. It is pertinent to mention that the deceased photojournalist was found at the top of the APC, trying to get the live coverage without any protective measures and was killed. In 2019, in the limits of the Katcha area of Shikarpur, DSP Rao Shafiullah, SHO Ghulam Mustafa Mirani, ASI Zulfiqar and Babar Shah were also killed during the operation against the dacoits.

Meanwhile, IGP Sindh Mushtaq Mahar said the sacrifices rendered by the police personnel to combat against the criminals, especially in the Katcha area of Gharhi Tegho, would not be forgetten. The IGP Sindh said the operation against the dacoits would be continued till the elimination of the criminals from the Katcha areas. DIGP Larkana Nasir Aftab Pathan paid rich tributes to the martyred cops.

Newspaper: The News

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Bill for protection of journalists tabled in Sindh Assembly

Sindh Minister for Information & Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah presented the Sindh Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners Bill 2021 in the provincial assembly on Friday.

The bill been prepared by the information department in consultation with the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) and senior journalists and media experts, including Prof Touseef Ahmed Khan, Mazhar Abbas, Fazil Jamali, Dr Jabbar Khattak, Owais Aslam Ali and Qazi Asif.

On the request of the information minister, the bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Law, which will scrutinise the proposed legislation and present its report to the assembly in three days.

Earlier, praising the Sindh government’s efforts for the safety and social welfare of the journalists, the KUJ said the much-awaited bill would be tabled today in the assembly.

In a statement, KUJ President Nizamuddin Siddiqui and General Secretary Fahim Siddiqui asked the members of the Sindh Assembly to pass the bill so that it could become law immediately.

They said that because of the personal interest of Information Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, the bill had been approved by the provincial cabinet and tabled in the assembly. KUJ President Siddiqui said that the proposed legislation for the security and social welfare of journalists was a longstanding demand of the KUJ. “Today is a historic day in that the Journalist Protection Bill was first introduced in the National Assembly and is now being tabled in the Sindh Assembly,” the statement said.

In the current situation of rising crimes against journalists in the country, the steps taken by the federal and Sindh governments towards making laws for the protection of journalists were the need of the hour, said the KUJ.

“Therefore, the KUJ has demanded from the members of the national and provincial assemblies to approve it as soon as possible,” the journalist body said. “After the bill is introduced, the only thing left for it to become law is the approval of the members of the assembly.”

The KUJ also hoped that the bill would include the recommendations it presented to the information minister last month in writing in a meeting to make it a comprehensive law.

Newspaper: The News

Other Media Report: Express Tribune

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Much awaited protection of Journalists, Media Professionals bill finally lands at National Assembly

The much awaited the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Bill, 2021aimed at protection of journalists and media professionals finally landed in the National Assembly here on Friday.

Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights Lal Chand introduced a bill to promote, protect and effectively ensure the independence, impartiality, safety and freedom of expression of journalists and media professionals (The Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Bill, 2021) in the House.

The law would offer “journalists and media professionals’ right to carry out their journalist work in conflict-affected areas within the country, without threats, intimidation, harassment or fear of persecution or targeting.

Under the bill, the government would take all steps to protect journalists and media professionals from all forms of abuse, violence and exploitation at the hands of any person, institution (private or public) or authority.

Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian (PPPP), Dr Nafeesa Shah that she had also moved a bill as private member for the protection of journalists.

She said that she and her party believed in expression for freedom.

She said that she did not want to make controversial the bill and announced to withdraw her private member bill.

Meanwhile, State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan on behalf of Minister for Finance and Revenue Shaukat Fayaz Ahmed Tarin introduced a bill further to amend the Fiscal Responsibility and Debt Limitation Act, 2005 (The Fiscal Responsibility and Debt Limitation (Amendment) Bill, 2021) in the House.

Website: APP

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Islamabad High Court (IHC) directs NADRA to restore citizenship of JUI-F leader, Declares PEMRA order of restraining TV channels from inviting, projecting the petitioner in talk shows as illegal.

By accepting the petition of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F)’s former senator Maulana Hafiz Hamdullah challenging National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA)’s decision to cancel his citizenship, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday directed NADRA to restore his citizenship.

A single bench of the IHC comprising Chief Justice of IHC Justice Athar Minallah announced the verdict in the petition filed by JUI-F leader against the cancellation of his citizenship while the bench also declared Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) order of restraining TV channels from “inviting and projecting the petitioner in the programmes/talk shows, news, etc” as illegal.

Justice Athar noted in his verdict that the petitions were allowed and “The Authority is directed to restore the CNICs of the petitioners forthwith. Needless to mention that the competent authority under the Citizenship Act, read with the Citizenship Rules, would not be precluded from proceeding in the prescribed manner in case it is of the opinion that, based on credible material, a prima facie case is made out to deprive a person of citizenship or that the latter was not eligible for it.”

About PEMRA’s order, he said that it was an obvious misuse of authority vested under the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Ordinance, 2002. “It was issued in derogation of the rights guaranteed under Articles 19 and 19-A of the Constitution. The said statute and the rules/regulations made thereunder do not vest absolute and unbridled powers in PEMRA to regulate the content or participants of a programme,” added the IHC Chief Justice.

He continued that there was nothing on record to justify passing of the impugned order by PEMRA. “The order, dated 26-10-2019, is declared to have been issued illegally and wholly without authority and jurisdiction,” maintained the IHC CJ. 

He observed that the admitted facts were that the petitioners were duly registered by the Authority under the Ordinance of 2000 after they had applied for issuance of their respective CNICs in accordance with the prescribed procedure and fulfilling the mandatory requirements. The registration was followed by the issuance of the respective CNICs by acknowledging the crucial fact that the petitioners were citizens of Pakistan. 

The IHC bench said that it was not the case of the Authority that the petitioners had acquired citizenship of another sovereign state or that the authority competent under the relevant law had revoked, withdrawn or cancelled their citizenship. It has also not been alleged that the petitioners had given false information regarding their birth in Pakistan when they had applied for the issuance of the CNICs. 

“There is nothing on record to show how the Authority or the concerned intelligence agency had concluded that the petitioners were not citizens of Pakistan. As would be discussed later in more detail, the Authority nor the intelligence agencies were competent to determine the question of citizenship of a person,” added the court.

The bench further said, “Such a person loses the right of employment, access to his or her own bank accounts, the right to engage in trade, business or profession. Moreover, access to education, health, etc. is denied. The family members are also equally affected. In a nut shell, the right to life guaranteed under Article 9 is virtually taken away.”

It observed that this phenomenon of blocking or cancelling the CNICs of citizens by the Authority in a perfunctory and arbitrary manner had remained prevalent for a long time because similar grievances had been frequently agitated before this Court. 

The bench said, “This Court has consistently observed that the Authority was bereft of jurisdiction to adjudicate upon a question which involves the determination of the status of a person as a citizen of Pakistan and that too, on the basis of reports received from intelligence agencies which are under the control of the government.”

Newspaper: The Nation

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Islamabad High Court (IHC) directs NADRA to restore citizenship of JUI-F leader, Declares PEMRA order of restraining TV channels from inviting, projecting the petitioner in talk shows as illegal.

By accepting the petition of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F)’s former senator Maulana Hafiz Hamdullah challenging National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA)’s decision to cancel his citizenship, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday directed NADRA to restore his citizenship.

A single bench of the IHC comprising Chief Justice of IHC Justice Athar Minallah announced the verdict in the petition filed by JUI-F leader against the cancellation of his citizenship while the bench also declared Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) order of restraining TV channels from “inviting and projecting the petitioner in the programmes/talk shows, news, etc” as illegal.

Justice Athar noted in his verdict that the petitions were allowed and “The Authority is directed to restore the CNICs of the petitioners forthwith. Needless to mention that the competent authority under the Citizenship Act, read with the Citizenship Rules, would not be precluded from proceeding in the prescribed manner in case it is of the opinion that, based on credible material, a prima facie case is made out to deprive a person of citizenship or that the latter was not eligible for it.”

About PEMRA’s order, he said that it was an obvious misuse of authority vested under the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Ordinance, 2002. “It was issued in derogation of the rights guaranteed under Articles 19 and 19-A of the Constitution. The said statute and the rules/regulations made thereunder do not vest absolute and unbridled powers in PEMRA to regulate the content or participants of a programme,” added the IHC Chief Justice.

He continued that there was nothing on record to justify passing of the impugned order by PEMRA. “The order, dated 26-10-2019, is declared to have been issued illegally and wholly without authority and jurisdiction,” maintained the IHC CJ. 

He observed that the admitted facts were that the petitioners were duly registered by the Authority under the Ordinance of 2000 after they had applied for issuance of their respective CNICs in accordance with the prescribed procedure and fulfilling the mandatory requirements. The registration was followed by the issuance of the respective CNICs by acknowledging the crucial fact that the petitioners were citizens of Pakistan. 

The IHC bench said that it was not the case of the Authority that the petitioners had acquired citizenship of another sovereign state or that the authority competent under the relevant law had revoked, withdrawn or cancelled their citizenship. It has also not been alleged that the petitioners had given false information regarding their birth in Pakistan when they had applied for the issuance of the CNICs. 

“There is nothing on record to show how the Authority or the concerned intelligence agency had concluded that the petitioners were not citizens of Pakistan. As would be discussed later in more detail, the Authority nor the intelligence agencies were competent to determine the question of citizenship of a person,” added the court.

The bench further said, “Such a person loses the right of employment, access to his or her own bank accounts, the right to engage in trade, business or profession. Moreover, access to education, health, etc. is denied. The family members are also equally affected. In a nut shell, the right to life guaranteed under Article 9 is virtually taken away.”

It observed that this phenomenon of blocking or cancelling the CNICs of citizens by the Authority in a perfunctory and arbitrary manner had remained prevalent for a long time because similar grievances had been frequently agitated before this Court. 

The bench said, “This Court has consistently observed that the Authority was bereft of jurisdiction to adjudicate upon a question which involves the determination of the status of a person as a citizen of Pakistan and that too, on the basis of reports received from intelligence agencies which are under the control of the government.”

Newspaper: The Nation

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Israeli attacks on civilians, media houses slammed

KARACHI: The Karachi Press Club (KPC) has condemned Israeli air and ground attacks on the innocent and unarmed people and media houses in Palestine.

In a statement issued here on Sunday, President Fazil Jamili and Secretary Rizwan Bhatti of the KPC criticised the Zionist regime of Israel for carrying out airstrikes on a building which housed the offices of Al-Jazeera news channel and the American news agency Associated Press in Gaza during the unilaterally declared war against Palestine.

They deplored the killings of innocent people, including women, children, infants, old and youths, by the Zionist forces.

The airstrikes, they said, not only pulled down the building housing media offices but also exposed Israel’s claim about media freedom.

They said the Zionist regime did not show even slightest respect for media men covering the war. The fresh Israeli offence has threatened the journalists who are doing their duty in the war-hit zones.

The KPC has appealed to the United Nations to make efforts to de-escalate the war that the Zionist regime had waged against the hapless people of Palestine.

It said the UN had so far turned a blind eye to the atrocities of the Zionist regime against Palestinians and continued human rights violations.

The KPC asked the UN to come up with a comprehensive and durable plan to end the Zionist rule over the state of Palestine and enforce its declarations.

It urged the UN to protect the journalists based in Palestine as well as Israel.

The KPC said the UN silence was undermining the whole concept of the world body’s charter for upholding peace and stability and respecting human rights and press freedom.

It expressed the hope that the UN would play a role not only in de-escalating the war but also take steps to end the Jewish occupation of Palestine once and for all.

The KPC said the world, which was already fighting the Covid-19 pandemic and growing climate chaos, could not afford to see the spread of war in the Middle East and elsewhere as a result of the Israeli aggression.

It extended complete support to the entire journalist fraternity of Palestine, particularly the members of Al-Jazeera and the Associated Press, who were facing threats to their lives from the Jewish regime while covering the war. It also expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine.

Newspaper: Dawn  

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Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemns Israeli bombing of a building housing media outlets

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists PFUJ has condemned the Israeli bombing of a building in Gaza housing various media outlets and their staff.

In a statement issued Sunday, PFUJ President Shahzada Zulfiqar and secretary general Nasir Zaidi said the bombing amounted to frightening media persons who have been covering the terrible war that has claimed so many lives.

“Such bombing flies in the face of the tall claims of Israeli leaders asserting that they are the only democratic state in the Middle East. We believe that after this bombing it would be difficult for media persons and journalists to cover the conflict in an objective way without the fear of being attacked or bombed”.

PFUJ leadership also condemned Israeli brutalities against innocent Palestinians and forcible occupation of houses of residents of Gaza and East Jerusalem which may further aggravate agonies of Palestinians. “We call upon international community and United Nations Security Council to immediately intervene to save further loss of lives,” they demanded.

They said it was not only this bombing that jeopardised the lives of media persons but before that bombing the Israeli authorities tried to use media in a manipulative way. “Such deceptive behaviour of the Israeli authorities amounts to using media as a tool of psychological warfare. This is highly condemnable because in a conflict zone such behaviour could cause grave security problems for media persons”.

The leaders of the journalists’ fraternity demanded the United Nations, global journalists’ bodies and the international community to set up an inquiry commission for probing into the matter of the bombing of the building.

Newspaper: The News