Freedom of Expression – Page 373 – Pakistan Coalition on Media Safety

October 20, 2014January 26, 2015

Pemra bans TV anchor and his programme

ISLAMABAD: In compliance with an order of the Lahore High Court (LHC), the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) banned on Sunday ARY News anchor Mubashir Lucman and his programme ‘Khara Such’ till further orders of the court.

The ban will also apply on his appearance in any other TV programme in any capacity.

“We just obeyed the orders of LHC and the ban will remain in force till hearing of the case on Nov 11 when the detailed judgment will be issued,” Pemra spokesman Fakhar Mughal told Dawn.

He said the management of the channel had been informed that in case of non-compliance the authority would be constrained to initiate appropriate action which might lead to cancellation of its licence and imposition of fine under the Pemra laws.

A press release issued by Pemra said: “It is directed to ensure with immediate effect that Mubashir Lucman does not participate in any programme on ARY News or on any other TV channel being aired in Pakistan either as a host or as an observer or as a participant.”

It said the court orders had been circulated to all news and current affairs TV channels to ensure compliance.

On Friday, the LHC issued bailable arrest warrants of ARY News chief executive officer Salman Iqbal, Mubashir Lucman, the programme’s producer and one Asim Malik for not appearing before the court despite having been summoned.

The court placed restrictions on airing of the show and participation of the anchor in any other TV programme.

It ordered inclusion of the name of Mr Lucman in the Exit Control List (ECL) and summoned the attorney general, Punjab advocate general, Federal Investigation Agency director general and Lahore district coordination officer on Oct 21.

Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi issued the orders while hearing a suo motu notice against the respondents for airing an interview of Asim Malik, owner of a firm, Future Concern, in which serious allegations had been levelled against him.

DAWN

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October 14, 2014January 26, 2015

Inaction over journalists’ murders lamented

QUETTA: No arrests have been made over the murders of three journalists, Irshad Mastoi, Abdul Rasool, and Muhammad Younas, in the city despite a lapse of 40 days after.

This was said by journalists who had gathered to commemorate their slain colleagues on the 40th day of their killing during a condolence reference held at the press club on Monday. Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ), Quetta Press Club and Media Joint Action Committee held the Condolence reference. BUJ’s President Irfan Saeed, President Press Club Quetta Raza ur Rehman, vice president of PFUJ Saleem Shahid and President of Media Joint Action Committee Shehzad Zulfiqar spoke on the occasion.

They lamented the government’s perceived helplessness to book the culprits and noted that 40 days have passed but the government “isn’t showing any seriousness” regarding the arrest of the cuprites involved in killings of their colleagues and seemed reluctant to book them. They said that they cannot sit quiet anymore because more than 40 journalists have been killed in Balochistan alone and they will have to intensify their protests across the province.

They said the government had not even paid compensation to the heirs of the 40 murdered journalists as yet.

The gathering said that they cannot forget the slain comrades after getting compensation sum but we urge the government to pay the announced compensation amount as soon as possible to provide some relief to the families.

They regarded Irshad Mastoin and other journalist lucky because not in Pakistan but around the world protests have been recorded against their killings.

“We are going to call a joint media session along with other media organizations and are also considering to stage hunger-strike till death and to close the newspaper services across the province,” they announced.

They urged the journalist community to show unity like they showed in past and prepare themselves for a third round of protests. Towards the end, journalists offered Fateha for the deceased souls.

Daily Times

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October 12, 2014January 26, 2015

HRCP team briefed on problems faced by journalists

QUETTA: Former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association and prominent human rights activist Asma Jehangir has offered to voluntarily defend journalists in anti-terrorism cases filed against them in Balochistan.

A delegation of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) comprising Zahra Yusuf, Asma Jehangir, I.A Rehman, Ghazi Salahuddin, Mohammed Hanif and Tahir Hussain visited the Quetta Press Club (QPC) and discussed the situation and challenges journalists were facing in the province.

The delegation was informed that anti-terrorism cases had been registered against 10 editors and journalists for publishing statements of the banned organisations. The cases were lodged on the directives of the then chief justice of the Balochistan High Court.

Balochistan Union of Journalist president Irfan Saeed, QPC’s representative Razaur Rehman and other journalists appraised the HRCP delegation about the security situation in the province and working conditions for their community.

“We are pressurised by the government and armed groups to follow their lines,” the journalists’ representatives told the delegation.

Ms Jehangir expressed concern over registration of anti-terrorism cases against journalists and editors.

DAWN

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