The News International -- December 2, 1998

CPJ concerned over raids on journalists' houses

NEW YORK: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an international organisation, has expressed concern over two police raids on the residences of journalists in Karachi within days of each other last week. Ann K Cooper, Executive Director, CPJ, in a fax to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on November 30, stated that as an organisation of journalists dedicated to the defence of its colleagues around the world, the CPJ was concerned by the signal sent to Pakistan's journalistic community by these twin attacks. The CPJ is especially concerned that, with the November 21 imposition of a state of emergency in Sindh and the announcement by the federal government that Pakistan's armed forces will now have power to investigate "appropriate cases" of terrorism, journalists have little protection against official harassment. She said: "We believe that during this time of civil and political unrest in Pakistan, the role of the press is vital in restoring public confidence and encouraging constructive political dialogue. The CPJ, therefore, urges your government to pursue vigorous investigation into the police actions against both Idrees Bakhtiar and Naseer Ahmad Saleemi and to assure the journalistic community that the government will not tolerate such abuses of power."