Ten journalists in Sindh province who were reporting on events related to Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto’s death on December 27 have been arrested under anti-terrorism and riot laws, according to the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ).
PFUJ reported that 34 cases were registered against journalists in the province’s interior since December 27. Of these, 19 journalists work for Kawish Television Network (KTN), the most watched private Sindhi language channel, and the Sindhi newspaper Daily Kawish. It was also reported that police raided the homes of journalists in various parts of the province.
The journalists accused authorities of falsely implicating them in riots since December 27, due to their reporting of Bhutto’s assassination and the public unrest that followed.
PFUJ has demanded the immediate release of the journalists and the withdrawal of the complaints. It encouraged the journalists to record the details of their cases and report them to the Sindh Home Department for investigation.
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said it was unacceptable for journalists to be arrested without evidence because they were carrying out their professional duty to keep the public informed. She supported PFUJ in demanding that the authorities make public the basis of the arrests and complaints.
“These latest arrests and cases lodged against journalists in Pakistan are part of a continuing and alarming effort by authorities in Pakistan to silence the media and prevent independent coverage of events of great national and international significance,” Park said. “The complaints must be withdrawn promptly.”
