President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif over the recent harassment of journalists and media persons, expressing his concern and calling for remedial action.
The President of Pakistan’s Twitter account shared the letter, saying that journalists were being put under “absolute pressure” for their “independent opinions and criticism”. “arrest, assault [and] Persecution, including cases of sedition, are designed to create fear and terror,” it added.
President Alvi recently said incidents of violence Reflects the mindset of “intolerance” against journalists which will have a negative impact on the future of democracy and freedom of expression in the country.
“Apart from creating fear in Pakistan, such acts bring international focus and tarnish the image of our country,” he said.
Alvi said that Pakistan is ranked 157th in the Press Freedom Index, 2022 and that several international organizations have cited “harassment, threats and physical violence against journalists as the main reasons for Pakistan’s dismal position in the said index”.
“Among those killed were Aziz Memon and Nazim Jokhio. Matiullah Jaan was Kidnapped In broad daylight from the busy area of Islamabad. Asad Ali Toor and Absar Alam were attacked and injured by unidentified men.
“Ayaz Amir was attacked, humiliated and injured by unknown persons on the road during rush hours in the presence of several eyewitnesses in Lahore. Multiple FIRs (First Information Report) Cases have been registered against Sami Ibrahim, Arshad Sharif, Sabir Shakir, Imran Riaz Khan and Moeed Pirzada at various police stations in several cities across the country.
The letter said journalists in the country have been charged with sedition and terrorism for “suppressing dissent and criticism against powerful elements of the state”.
Alvi argued that such actions also undermined the efforts of the judiciary because if relief was granted in one jurisdiction, another case with “malicious intent to continue the persecution” was filed in the other jurisdiction. .
“It appears that a reign of terror has begun against the media persons having independent opinion.
“The actions or inactions of previous governments should not be used as a ploy to repeat similar violations and such stance is both untenable and lame excuse. Instead of taking the country in a progressive and positive direction, Such comparisons become a justification for doing worse in retaliation,” the President said.
He said that according to Article 41 of the Constitution, the President should endeavor to protect the fundamental rights of all citizens to freedom of expression and fair trial.
Alvi said Pakistan being a democratic country should not allow harassment and harassment of intellectuals and journalists, such actions should be considered “abhorrent in a progressive society”.
“Law enforcement agencies may be directed to ensure the safety of journalists and media persons. In this regard, politicians should also play their part to protect journalists from the arbitrariness of unknown and unscrupulous elements. I am informed of the remedial action. I wish to take action as per Article 46 of our Constitution,” the letter said.
PTI Vice President Fawad Chaudhry lauded President Alvi for “standing up for the rights and drawing attention to the most important issues”.