PFUJ Condemns Arrest Of A Journalist Under 16 MPO
04 November, 2010
ISLAMABAD, Nov 4 : The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalist (PFUJ)
has condemned the re-arrest and detention of senior Journalist
Ghulam Rasool of Bahwalpur and demanded his immediate release.
According to reports reaching the PFUJ Secretariat here on Thursday,
Ghulam Rasool Khan had been pin-pointing embezzlement and
misappropriation of public exchequer by various local departments of
the Punjab government. Taking cognizance of various news items
contributed by Ghulam Rasool, investigation was also initiated
against high officials involved in various corruption cases.
Annoyed at his critical reporting, local administration implicated
him as well his brother Dr Naeem Raoof in a criminal case and
arrested both of them last week. However, a local court granted them
bail on Monday and ordered their release.
Yet the local administration got a detention order from the District
Coordination Officer Bahwalpur under section sections 16 MPO, 186
and 506-B and both were rearrested and detained at Central Jail for
one month.
Sharply reacting to the arrest of Ghulm Rasool and his brother, the
PFUJ termed it a blunt example of highhandedness, adding that such
notorious black laws used to be exercised during the dictatorial
rules.
The PFUJ regretted that the Punjab government claims itself champion
of freedom of expression and media, yet the bureaucracy is
ruthlessly using black laws like Maintenance of Public Order against
media persons to punish them for exposing the corruption and
misdeeds of the government officials.
The PFUJ further said that it is test case for the Punjab government
to fairly investigate causes of issuing detaining order of NNI
Correspondent Ghulam Rasool Khan and his brother Liquat and all
those who misused their powers be taken to task.
The PFUJ demanded an immediate release of Ghulam Rasool and his
brother forthwith failing which, the PFUJ would be constrained to
issue a call for protest throughout the country, especially in the
province of the Punjab.
Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
Cellular +92(0)300 8665523
+92(0)321 8665523
http://www.shamsulislamnaz.com
http://www.pfuj.pk
http://www.facebook.com/shamsul.naz
http://shamsulisalmnaz.blogspot.com/?spref=gb
http://pk.linkedin.com/pub/shamsul-islam-naz/1b/312/711
http://twitter.com/Shamsulislmpfuj
