CPNE condemns Dawn staffer’s ECL inclusion

The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) on Tuesday condemned the government’s decision to place a senior Dawn journalist’s name on the Exit Control List and have demanded that the move be reversed.

CPNE president Zia Shahid and its secretary general Aijazul Haq demanded that the government withdraw its decision of putting the name of Dawn staffer, Cyril Almeida on the ECL. In a joint statement, they said that CPNE, being the representative organisation of newspaper editors of Pakistan, is of the view that the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression.

“The Prime Minister House and the Chief Minister House Punjab have refuted the story and the same was published by all newspapers, including Dawn. Despite that, if the government feels the said story is fabricated, it reserves the right to take legal action,” it said.

However, only the competent court of law can decide if the stance of the government or that of the newspaper is right, the statement further said.  All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS) too condemned the government’s decision.

APNS President Sarmad Ali, and APNS Secretary General of Umer Mujib Shami, condemned the move in a joint statement saying that it was disturbing to see a democratic government reacting in an arbitrary manner and opting to “shoot the messenger”.

Amnesty International also issued a statement that it is one thing for the authorities to dispute and contradict a media report but is quite another to threaten a journalist.

The group´s director of global issues Audrey Gaughran, called on the premier to “remember his promise” to improve conditions for journalists.  The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan stressed that the ban will cause distress to all those, at home and abroad, who believe in the freedom of expression.

Sources in interior ministry confirmed about placing Almeida’s name on ECL to complete the inquiry which is being conducted on the directives of the premier.

According to sources, for early completion of the ‘enquiry’ his presence in the country was necessary.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 12^th, 2016.