State of Media during July 2007

In July 07, coercion against media has approached to climax when media reported that the
police and armed troops had been ordered to shoot at journalists. In Lal mosque operation,
media was also on gunpoint. State security officials were not given any guidelines to facilitate
media, but there were clear directions to keep media away from the scene.
Two media men Javed Khan and Muhammad Maqsood Ahmed were killed in crossfire between
the law-enforcers and the Lal Masjid students. Javed Khan a photo-journalist was associated
with an Urdu daily 'Markaz' and a UK-based DM Digital TV while Journalist Muhammad
Maqsood Ahmed, 34, was a reporter for Al-Qalam Magazine.

Eight working journalists received serious injuries during the operation; some of them are still
in critical condition. Wounded journalists include Absar Alam (Geo TV), Wahab Saleem (The
Post), Israr Ahmed (CNBC), Qadeer (Business PLUS), Raja Zafar (Daily Express). Azhar bin
Karim of Aaj TV, Asif Bashir and a cameraman Sher Afzal of ARY.

In July, 39 incidents of abuses against media were reported in National press. Worst hostilities
were observed in federal capital, where in 31 incidents, media was on target.

Two journalists were arrested; Aqeel ur Rehman of Daily Islam was taken into custody form
Lal mosque, while veteran journalist Saqlain Mehdi was dramatically arrested from Islamabad,
later produced before Judicial Magistrate, who sent Mehdi to jail on judicial remand. Mehdi was
nominated by OPF Girls College administration in an FIR for publishing a news report.

Eight cases of restriction/ban/censorship were observed in federal capital. During operation,

Security officials try to seize Islamabad Press club. Officials allegedly misbehaved with
journalists and restricted journalists without any reasons. Forces refused to accept cards
issued by Press Information Department. Media was barred from Lal Masjid to attend Ghazi
press conference. Authorities barred journalists from visiting all major hospitals in Islamabad
and Rawalpindi. Media reported that the police and troops had been ordered to shoot at
journalists trying to gain access to the injured persons. Journalists were also stopped from
entering the Fauji Foundation Hospital in Rawalpindi. Journalists who tried to enter the
Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, the Federal Government Services Hospital and the
Capital Hospital were told by the security personnel to stay away. The government stopped
the reporter and the cameraman of the US-based CNN (Cable News Network) television
channel from entering the Lal Masjid complex. Ban on journalists entry to Pakistan Institute of
Medical Sciences (PIMS) continued; Executive Director (PIMS) imposed the ban on media men
entry; he had support of Health Minister Naseer Khan for the ban. PIMS administration and
Police officials did not allow journalists to perform their professional duties in hospital for the
coverage of Islamabad blast victims. There were reports that police tortured some journalists
who were present in the hospital. Police officials kept on directing journalists to remain away
from hospital corridors.
Restrictions against Media were also observed in other parts of country. In FATA, Authorities
stopped two senior journalists Dr Shahid Masood and Rahimullah Yusufzai at the Khajuri
checkpoint and didn’t allow them to enter North Waziristan to perform their professional
duties. A Geo TV cameraman also accompanied them.
District Coordination Officer barred journalists from covering the Shundor festival. These
journalists were sent by Ministry of Tourism for the coverage of the festival.
ARY channel televised the interview of PML-N leader Mian Shehbaz Sharif. In some parts of
Lahore, transmission of channel remained close. Workers of PML-N telephoned to Nawa-i-Waqt
office and recorded their protest. Party workers alleged that it was act of government. ARY
officials confirmed about complaints of closure of the broadcast.

In intimidation cases, 11 were reported in Islamabad. Government officials were inflexible to

media. Federal Environment Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat held the media responsible for the
incident. He said the private television channels were responsible for the incident because they
had aired baseless reports that Rangers had been deployed in the ministry’s building. He said
that these reports provoked the madrassa students to set fire to the building and official
vehicles. State Minister for Health, Begum Shehnaz Sheikh and journalists exchanged hot
words, Instead of giving appropriate answer or denial, she launched into a tirade against the
irresponsible attitude of journalists holding them responsible for a negative attitude. She was
specifically charging about media and journalists showing horrific clips of wounded and dead
repeatedly to encash (gain advertisement revenue) their ‘product’ and advised them to learn
the ‘prudence of journalism from Americans’. On first day of operation, according to
eyewitnesses, the students of Lal Masjid reportedly misbehaved with journalists and tried to
snatch their cameras. Students of Jamia Faridia announced that they would take revenge from
PTV’s anchor Syed Anwarul Hassan for insulting Lal Masjid chief cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz by
taking his interview in a burqa. “We will take revenge from Hassan who in an insulting way
interviewed Maulana Abdul Aziz. We know him and his family very well and we will not let him
go easily. While Anwarul Hassan, a PTV anchorman has said, “It was not my decision to
interview him in the burqa. I am an employee and I did what I was told.” One eve of
reopening of Lal mosque, students forced media men to leave the prayer hall. Angry
protestors expelled journalists, also threw shoes at cameramen and reporters covering the
event.
Police stopped media men to perform professional duties when they rushed to Asghar Mall
Rawalpindi vicinity from where an attempt was made to hit the plane carrying President Gen
Pervaiz Mushrraf.
Journalists in capital shocked at restoration of suspended SHO, a wave of fear, panic and
disappointment gripped the journalists community with the news of restoration of Adrees
Rathore, police inspector, who was suspended earlier on charge of implicating a local daily
crime correspondent in a fake FIR under Section 302. Lawyers thrashed journalist Khalil Malik
when he came to a court to explain his position about a column that appeared in an Urdu Daily
Shura some two months ago.
In other cases of intimidation observed in different parts of country, Shopkeepers attacked
and beat up a reporter and cameraman from a private TV channel in the limits of Khan Raziq
police station Peshawar. Pushto television channel AVT Khyber bureau chief Mahmood Jan
Afridi told that his channel’s reporter Wahidur Rehman and cameraman Waqar Ahmed were
recording a programme on the public reaction to recent terrorist acts when they were
intimated.
In Charsada, Journalists have warned to stage a protest demonstration in Peshawar if
Charsada police did not stop interference in matters of Charsada Press Club. They demanded
reopening of club according to court verdict.

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) issued a show-cause notice to a
popular radio channel of twin cities FM99, accusing it of airing prohibited content and
promoting anti-state attitude during the Lal Masjid operation days of July 6 and 7.
Pemra issued notices to certain TV channels for transmitting bloodshed and gory scenes in
violation of the code of conduct.
Pemra has closed transmission of an illegal FM radio station operating from Bagh, Azad Jammu
and Kashmir (AJK). Enforcement team impounded the equipment and sealed the premises of
un-authorized FM radio broadcast in Bagh.
PIA temporarily suspended the discounted fare facility for media persons. PIA claimed,
decision has been taken to overcome the financial crisis of national flag carrier.

In Sindh, Karachi City District Government officials with the help of bulldozers demolished
reception and parking arena of the Khabrain Group Karachi offices, completely destroying the
communication system. Khabrain office was attacked twice in a week in the name of action
against encroachments.

Press Association of Supreme Court filed a petition in Supreme Court of Pakistan in view of
intimidations, harassments against media persons and incidents of restricting the media from
professional duties. In the plea, federal government, four provincial governments, Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting, and secretary FATA have been declared party in the case.
Acting Chief Justice Rana Bhagwandas directed the Acting Registrar of Supreme Court not to
deprive the journalists of their facilities being provided to media at the apex court. He also
directed Acting Registrar not to create obstacles in the way of journalist community, allow it to
perform their professional obligations.
 Attacks on Press Freedom in Pakistan
Jul-07
Area of Murder Abducted/ Tortured/ Attack Restriction/Banned Total
Incident on Incidents
media
property
Arrested Injured Intimidated /Censorship

Islamabad 2 2 8 11 8 31
Punjab 1 1
Sindh 2 2
NWFP 1 2 3
Balochistan 0
Tribal Areas 1 1
North Areas 0
AJ&K 1 1
(Category 2 2 9 13 2 11 39
wise total

July 03

• Karachi City District Government officials with the help of bulldozers demolished
reception and parking arena of the Khabrain Group Karachi offices, completely
destroying the communication system. According to details, Nazim Jamshed Town
Javed Akhtar accompanied by dozens of armed men forced their entry into Khabrain
Group offices situated adjacent to Karachi Administration Society office in
Mehmoodabad and took the entire staff hostage. In the meanwhile, CDG staff with the
help of bulldozers and other heavy equipment demolished the main gate, reception
and parking area of the office while police that was present about 200 yards away
from the office remained silent spectator. Two cars and four motorbikes parked in the
parking area were badly damaged by the action. Consequently, work of all the four
newspapers of the group - Khabrain, The Post, Sindhi daily Khabroon and Nia Akhbar
came to a halt.

July 04

• On first day of Lal Masjid operation, Javed Khan, a photo-journalist from an Urdu
daily 'Markaz' and also associated with a UK-based DM Digital TV, lost his life and
five others were injured while performing their professional duties. JMr Khan was
also.
• The five injured included Absar Alam (Geo TV), Wahab Saleem (The Post), Israr
Ahmed (CNBC), Qadeer (Business PLUS), Raja Zafar (Daily Express). Azhar bin
Karim of Aaj TV was hurt in stampede.
• Police arrested a journalist Aqeel ur Rehman of Daily Islam form Lal mosque.
• The students of Lal Masjid reportedly misbehaved with journalists and tried to
snatch their cameras. According to eyewitnesses, the students adopted harsh
behavior with the journalists who were providing live-coverage of the clash.
• Jamshed Town officials led by Tehsil Municipal Officer (TMO) Afaaq Saeed once
again attacked Khabrain Group offices in second such attempt and tried to
demolish dailies' offices after passing abusive remarks and had a brawl with the
staff.
 • Federal Environment Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat has condemned the Lal Masjid
students’ action of setting ablaze the Environment Ministry’s building and held the
media responsible for the incident. He said the private television channels were
responsible for the incident because they had aired baseless reports that Rangers
had been deployed in the ministry’s building. He said that these reports provoked
the madrassa students to set fire to the building and official vehicles.
• Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has not granted
permission to any FM Radio station to air foreign broadcasts. It said international
broadcast practices in developed countries did not allow indigenous FM radio
stations to sell airtime to international or national news. It said PEMRA was,
however, examining the good practices being followed in the developed world and
hoped to settle the issue in consultation with stakeholders.

July 05

• Journalist Muhammad Maqsood Ahmed, 34, a reporter for Al-Qalam Magazine was
killed in crossfire between the law-enforcers and the Lal Masjid students. He was a
resident of Attock. He had been contributed articles to different newspapers “Jinnah”
and “Islam” on various issues.
• While on July 10, Major (r) Ahmad Maqsood vehemently denied religious minister
Ejazul Haq’s allegations about Maulana Maqsood Ahmad (son of Ahmad Maqsood)
having any Al Qaeda connections. In a press conference, he claimed that the suicide
attacks on Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had nothing to do with his [Maqsood’s] family
since they were all residing in Karachi, and there had been no warrants ever issued
against them. Major Maqsood also said his son, the deceased Maulana Maqsood, used
to write a column titled ‘Naqsh-e-Qadam’ for the Urdu daily Jinnad and had been an
active member of the Federal Union of Journalists.
• Veteran journalist Saqlain Mehdi was dramatically arrested from Islamabad produced
before Judicial Magistrate, who sent Mehdi to jail on judicial remand. Mehdi, who was
nominated by OPF Girls College administration in an FIR for publishing a news report.
However, the issue was settled down with the mediation of State Minister for
Information Senator Tariq Azeem some three years back. Presently, Saqlain Mehdi is
associated with two United States dailies as a freelancer.
• The Sindh High Court suspended the operation of a termination notice served by the
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority on a television channel. According to
the Pemra notice of June 27, the Royal TV owned by M/s Royal Media Network, was
airing illegal transmissions without obtaining a license under the Pemra Ordinance.

July 06

• Security officials brutally tortured an ARY reporter Asif Bashir and a cameraman Sher
Afzal in Lal Mosque vicinity. They were kept in custody for some time but released
later. Camera was also damaged.

July 07

• In Rawalpindi, police officials misbehaved with journalists. Police stopped media men
to perform professional duties when they rushed to Asghar Mall Rawalpindi vicinity
from where an attempt was made to hit the plane carrying President Gen Pervaiz
Mushrraf. One officer ordered his subordinates to remove journalists from the scene.
Police pushed journalists and behaved rudely.

July 09

• Journalists barred from Lal Masjid to attend Ghazi press conference. Lal Masjid deputy
chief cleric Abdul Rasheed Ghazi invited reporters to a press conference in Lal Masjid,
 but security forces refused entry to journalists.

• Security officials try to seize Islamabad Press club. State security officials allegedly
misbehaved with journalists in an attempt to seize Islamabad press club near melody.
Unidentified security personnel busted the press club, allegedly harassed media
persons, tried to snatch their electronic equipments and threatened journalists to
vacate building immediately and arrested an electrician of press club.

• State security officials allegedly misbehaved with journalists and restricted journalists
to perform their professional duties without any reasons. They refused to accept cards
issued by Press Information Department. Journalists were barred to reach the camp
set up for media in Lal mosque vicinity.

• District Coordination Officer barred journalists from covering the Shundor festival.
These journalists were sent by Ministry of Tourism for the coverage of the festival.
Journalists were not provided accommodation. Journalists protested against
misbehavior.

July 11

• Authorities barred journalists from visiting all major hospitals in Islamabad and
Rawalpindi. The decision was apparently aimed at preventing the journalists from
assessing the exact number of causalities in the operation against the Lal Masjid
militants. Private television channels reported that the police and troops had been
ordered to shoot at journalists trying to gain access to the injured persons. Journalists
were also stopped from entering the Fauji Foundation Hospital in Rawalpindi.
Journalists who tried to enter the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, the Federal
Government Services Hospital and the Capital Hospital were told by the security
personnel to stay away.

• Security officials kept two photojournalists in custody for 22 hours. It was told that
photojournalists Waseem Khan and Syed Mehdi went to press club for some work, but
security officials did not allow them to come out. They remained in hostage for 22
hours.

• The State Minister for Health, Begum Shehnaz Sheikh and journalists exchanged hot
words at surrender point near Lal Masjid. The ugly situation arose when journalists
questioned the minister about the dead and injured count in government hospitals.
Instead of giving appropriate answer or denial the already simmering minister, she
launched into a tirade against the irresponsible attitude of journalists holding them
responsible for a negative attitude. She was specifically charging about media and
journalists showing horrific clips of wounded and dead repeatedly to encash (gain
advertisement revenue) their ‘product’ and advised them to learn the ‘prudence of
journalism from Americans’.

• Press Association of Supreme Court has filed a petition in Supreme Court of Pakistan
in view of intimidations, harassments against media persons and incidents of
restricting the media from professional duties. In the plea, federal government, four
provincial governments, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and secretary FATA
have been declared party in the case.

• Acting Chief Justice Rana Bhagwandas directed the Acting Registrar of supreme court
not to deprive the journalists of their facilities being provided to media at the apex
court. He also directed Acting Registrar not to create obstacles in the way of journalist
community, allow it to perform their professional obligations. ACJ gave these
directions to acting registrar after the delegation of press association of Supreme
Court complained regarding orders passed by the registrar to vacate the room of press
association.
July 12

• The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) issued a show-cause

notice to a popular radio channel of twin cities FM99, accusing it of airing prohibited
content and promoting anti-state attitude during the Lal Masjid operation days of July
6 and 7. FM99 authorities have decided to defend their position, while the regulator
has claimed that the radio channel was broadcasting against a prescribed code of
conduct.

July 13

• The government stopped the reporter and the cameraman of the US-based CNN
(Cable News Network) television channel from entering the Lal Masjid complex. A
government source claimed that CNN was denied access to the Lal Masjid for
telecasting a “highly biased, inaccurate and misleading report” on Pakistan to create
an impression that the country was not doing enough to curb terrorism and
extremism.
• PIA temporarily suspended the discounted fare facility for media persons. According to
spokesperson of PIA, decision has been taken to overcome the financial crisis of
national flag carrier. Journalists organizations have voiced protest over the withdrawal
of discount on their tickets by PIA, and warned if PIA does not take back this decision,
then no discount will be given to the national airlines on its advertisements in the
newspapers.

July 20

• Authorities stopped two senior journalists at the Khajuri checkpoint and didn’t allow
them to enter North Waziristan to perform their professional duties. Dr Shahid
Masood, the host of a widely watched Geo TV programme “Meray Mutabiq”, and
Rahimullah Yusufzai, the executive editor of The News in Peshawar, were on their way
to Miranshah, the headquarters of North Waziristan, to report on the situation in the
troubled tribal region. A Geo TV cameraman also accompanied them. The political
administration argued that the situation was dangerous on the road to Miranshah, as it
was infested with criminals, including kidnappers and car-snatchers. When reminded
of the government’s claim that there was no ban on members of the press wishing to
visit the tribal areas and report from there, the government officials at Khajuri
checkpoint and Mir Ali said they had been directed by senior officials not to allow the
two journalists to enter North Waziristan.

July 22

• Shopkeepers attacked and beat up a reporter and cameraman from a private TV

channel in the limits of Khan Raziq police station. Pushto television channel AVT
Khyber bureau chief Mahmood Jan Afridi told that his channel’s reporter Wahidur
Rehman and cameraman Waqar Ahmed were recording a programme on the public
reaction to recent terrorist acts when they were attacked. He said the two had already
shot footage in various bazaars of the city, but when they reached Kabari Bazaar,
where allegedly stolen items are traded, two people came forward and verbally abused
both of them.

• Ban on journalists entry to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) still persist.
Executive Director (PIMS) imposed the ban on media men entry; he had support of
Health Minister Naseer Khan for the ban.
 • ARY channel televised the interview of PML-N leader Mian Shehbaz Sharif. In some
parts of Lahore, transmission of channel remained close. PML-N workers protested
against the closure of the transmission. They telephoned to Nawa-i-Waqt office and
recorded their protest. Party workers alleged that it was act of government. ARY
officials confirmed about complaints of closure of the broadcast.

July 26

• Lawyers thrashed journalist Khalil Malik when he came to a court to explain his
position about a column that appeared in an Urdu Daily Shura some two months ago.
The lawyers community took the column as offensive and Advocate High Court Rafaqat
Bashir Awan moved the court saying that Khalil Malik’s piece of writing had insulting
remarks for lawyers. He appeared before court to submit unconditional apology in
writing in the defamation case filed against him. To explain his position, when Khalil
Malik came here to appear before the court, a large number of lawyers gathered
outside the court to express their resentment over the piece of writing, maligning their
struggle for independence of judiciary. On this occasion, some lawyers assaulted Khalil
Malik and thrashed him but senior lawyers tried to save the writer and rushed him to
the retiring room of judges where they encircled him.

July 27

• In Charsada, Journalists has warned to hold protest demonstration against Police

interference in press club affairs. Journalists warned to stage a protest demonstration
in front of the governor house and IGP office if Charsada police did not stop
interference in matters of Charsada Press Club. They demanded reopening of club
according to court verdict.

• Journalists shocked at restoration of suspended SHO, A wave of fear, panic and

disappointment gripped the journalists community with the news of restoration of
Adrees Rathore, police inspector, who was suspended earlier on charge of implicating
a local daily crime correspondent in a fake FIR under Section 302. After he was fount
guilty of charges, However, fear and panic had gripped the journalist community with
the restoration of Idrees Rathore as he was given charge of ACLC Islamabad.

• The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has closed transmission
of an illegal FM radio station operating from Bagh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
PEMRA spokesman told the authority had taken action with the assistance of local
administration and police. He said during the operation, PEMRA enforcement team
impounded the equipment and sealed the premises of un-authorised FM radio
broadcast in Bagh, The Communicators (Pvt) Ltd under the guise of ‘FM Radio Power
99’. He said PEMRA had granted license to the company during the October 8, 2005
earthquake, but despite expiry of its validity the company was illegally running the
transmission.

July 28

• Students of Jamia Faridia announced that they would take revenge from PTV’s anchor
Syed Anwarul Hassan for insulting Lal Masjid chief cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz by taking
his interview in a burqa. “We will take revenge from Hassan who in an insulting way
interviewed Maulana Abdul Aziz. We know him and his family very well and we will not
let him go easily. While Anwarul Hassan, a PTV talk-show anchorman has said, “It was
not my decision to interview him in the burqa. I am an employee and I did what I was
told.”
• One eve of reopening of Lal mosque after military operation, students forced media
men to leave the prayer hall. Angry protestors expelled journalists also threw shoes at
cameramen and reporters covering the event.
 • PIMS administration and Police officials did not allow journalists to perform their
professional duties in hospital for the coverage of blast victims. There were reports
that police tortured some journalists who were present in the hospital. Police officials
kept on directing journalists to remain away from hospital corridors.

July 29

• Pemra issued notices to certain channels for transmitting bloodshed and gory scenes
in violation of the code of conduct, “In deference to the sentiments and sensitivities of
the public and to ensure compliance of its code of ethics and conduct, Pemra has
issued notices to the TV channels to stop transmitting gruesome scenes and images of
violence and bloodshed. It has warned the channels of stringent legal action in case of
repeat violation of respective Pemra provisions specified in the ordinance, code of
conduct and the license terms and conditions duly signed by the satellite TV licensees
of Pemra.”

July 31

• Public circles have criticized the ban on journalists’ entry to Pakistan Institute of
Medical Sciences (PIMS). PIMS officials have displayed a written notice on each entry
gate. Public circles have criticized the act to impose ban on media community and
termed it an attempt to conceal deficiencies of administration.

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