Pakistan

Rangers 'search' NYT correspondent's house in Islamabad

Chaudhry Nisar orders an inquiry, says such operations and raids are not acceptable

Afp/news Desk January 12, 2016

PHOTO: TWITTER @SALMAN MASOOD

The New York Times' Pakistan correspondent's house was searched by Rangers on Tuesday as part of a 'terrorist' search operation.

“Rangers have shown up at my house, saying they want to search the premises but have no documents or warrants,” Salman Masood said on Twitter.

Rangers have shown up at my house, saying they want to search the premises but have no documents or warrants#islamabad
— Salman Masood (@salmanmasood) January 12, 2016

“A man in civvies, with them, says he is from ‘intelligence’ but not giving more identification. Insists on property search,” he added in another post.

A man in civvies, with them, says he is from "intelligence" but not giving more identification. Insists on property search
— Salman Masood (@salmanmasood) January 12, 2016

High-profile expulsion: Declan Walsh declared persona non grata

A senior police official in the capital informed the journalist that a "terrorist search operation was underway".

Spoke with a senior Islamabad police official. He said a "terrorist search operation underway."
— Salman Masood (@salmanmasood) January 12, 2016

Rangers troops back,along with a senior officer. Hope they find the terrorist pic.twitter.com/ZiAk8tTFZ8
— Salman Masood (@salmanmasood) January 12, 2016

Pictures posted by Masood of the search operation showed Rangers searching Masood's house for evidence as part of a “routine search operation.”

"They searched the drawers of my study table and asked if I had any illegal weapons hidden in the house," he said.

Rangers even searched the drawers of my study table and asked if I had any illegal weapons hidden in the house.
— Salman Masood (@salmanmasood) January 12, 2016

Rangers say it's a "routine search operation" pic.twitter.com/ItZQAi7mjG
— Salman Masood (@salmanmasood) January 12, 2016

Chaudhry Nisar orders inquiry

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan taking notice of the 'search operation' conducted by Rangers at Masood's residence, ordered an inquiry.

“How, why and on whose orders was the raid conducted at Salman Masood’s house,” read a statement issued from his ministry, adding that an explanation has been sought from police and relevant security agencies.

“Such operations and raids are not acceptable at any cost,” said Nisar.

In June 2013, Declan Walsh, The New York Times Pakistan bureau chief, was officially placed in category A of the Black List (BL), with the government declaring him persona non grata, documents revealed.

According to the letter issued by Shahid Riaz, assistant director (BL Cell) at the directorate general for immigration and passports, Walsh had been blacklisted on the recommendation of the interior ministry and will no longer be able to avail visa facilities without the prior approval of the immigration and passports authority.

Police raids and anti-militant operations are common in Islamabad, with the capital criss-crossed by Rangers and other security force units.

But it is unclear if the search of Masood's home was a routine operation, as stated by police, or if it was an attempt to intimidate the journalist -- which Human Rights Watch lawyer Saroop Ijaz said was a "distinct possibility".

Either way, Ijaz told AFP, it was not acceptable to deprive someone of the fundamental right to privacy.

Ijaz also recalled "the long history of Pakistani security forces using strong arm tactics against the press, and their history with New York Times".

The press in general comes under regular attack in Pakistan, where more than 70 journalists have been killed in the line of duty since 2001, according to the UN. It ranked the country among the worst for unresolved cases of violence against the media.

COMMENTS (27)

NHA | 8 years ago | Reply One is not sure about the identity of commentators on this page. But one thing must accepted that all countries have the right and Govts. have duty to protect national interest. The institutions who deal with security matters differ from country to country. In Pakistan, it is 'civil armed' institutions which include 'Rangers, who are effectively employed for such functions. Pakistan is in a state of war and alert to possible injurious situations. Now for the sanctity of Journalism, it is only valid when journalists/media personnel are not camouflaged as spies or saboteurs. I am not suggesting anything, but we have to be alert and vigilant.

Arif Shaffi | 8 years ago | Reply Yet in the Most Democratic Country in the World (as they like to claim so) A police man can shoot anyone dead without any reason. They can push you off airplanes because they don't like your faces. They can form terrorist outfits because they want their oil and kill millions while doing so. And we the Pakistanis can't even search their homes?

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Sarah Khan | 8 years ago | Reply The rangers raid on house of Salman Masood is very much justified. He is close friend of Declan Walsh, who was expelled from Pakistan due to his undesirable activities. They both are co-writers of dozens of anti-Pakistan articles and their only agenda is to defame Pakistan and tarnish its international image. Our government officials must serve the government of Pakistan instead of serving for the interests of those states who are sending such reporters in Pakistan.

Sodomite | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan, Oh! Pakistan, why do you always shoot yourself in the foot???

Khan I | 8 years ago | Reply @Farru:, It is a real tragedy that in Pakistan our elected rulers use Rangers, Police and anti Terrorists Court to intimidate and punish their opponents.

I. Khan | 8 years ago | Reply It is wonderful to see Choudhry Nisar getting upset and ordering an investigation when a search was conducted in Islamabad of a journalist without a search warrant. I humbly ask Choudhry Nisar why he failed to take action when searches are conducted in Karachi of MQM leaders and their members on daily basis by Rangers without any warrants ????

Zubair Khan | 8 years ago | Reply @Hameed: Pakistani People in Khaki are always above the law. Surprisingly you do not know.

Jibran | 8 years ago | Reply Welcome to the club. Such atrocities have been happening in Karachi on a daily basis.

Realist | 8 years ago | Reply And the US, the flagbearer and global enforcer of democracy, has its cops killing unarmed civilian, its intelligence agencies involved in grotesque torture etc and that's fine?

Lotus | 8 years ago | Reply Where were the LEAs,Rangers,etc when the Axact software house were producing phony degrees and selling these world over bringing in a extremely bad name to Pakistan?The Axact business was NO secret,many in this country knew what's going on as they were keeping those who matter happy! It was the reporter of New York Times which brought the Axact business in the ambit of law and thus a criminal activity was at least curtailed due to NYT reporting. This country can develop only when the international principles of free speech and reporting will be upheld by the Government instead of intimidating the journalists through raids on their houses.These raids should be made on the houses and businesses of criminals and not journalists who are law abiding persons.Only then we will be able to gain some previously lost good image of Pakistan!

pakone | 8 years ago | Reply This is becoming more and more common in the capital. Rangers are entering people's homes at will, without warrants or any justification. A friends house in F-7 was raided in November by Rangers just because there were a number of cars parked outside since he was having some friends over on a saturday night! They found drinks inside the house and took all the guests and owner to thana for "questioning" - including the women present some of whom were their with their husbands and kids! There was no loud music or public disturbance happening! This is rapidly becoming a mullah police state under this mullah gov't which is always happy to harrass the public for trying to have some fun while not bothering anyone, but allows terrorists like the burqa maulvi abdul aziz to sit in peace at lal masjid proclaiming his love and respect for ISIS and taliban - one kilmometer away from Parliament!! SHAME!

curious2 | 8 years ago | Reply Intimidation of news media isn't anything unusual in Pakistan - no reason to think that foreign media will be any exception. Anyone think that Nisar is actually going to do anything once he gets the info requested?

Wajid | 8 years ago | Reply Seeing the love NY Times have for Pakistan. Trying to decimate Pakistani image for last 14 years. The place to search should've been this guys laptop , phone and other records. Journalists working for foreign news outlets who have been undermining the country's interests are not above the law, period.

Jamhoor | 8 years ago | Reply @Junaid: I don't know which intelligence agency you are talking about but I have never heard of such intimidation in any of the western world.

Despicable | 8 years ago | Reply @Feroz: In a democratic country no one can ban entry of a person with specific belief. Touts like Feroze are found for a cheap price. Here we have one.The search was legal. Why is Ch Nisar so touchy. This is no Mullah Aziz?

Shawn | 8 years ago | Reply If they can enter other houses, they should enter journalist houses as well. Excellent

NHA | 8 years ago | Reply We Pakistanis hold unnecessarily poor image of security agencies. This poor country is being hounded by all & sundry. Just keep this in mind while making your decisions & comments. There are agents of agents . Caution is better than cure.

Farru | 8 years ago | Reply Clear case of intimidation. Ch. Nisar should accept its responsibility. Also, he should publicly accept there are "some forces" above him that don't want free press to function in Pakistan.

Iqbal Hadi Zaidi | 8 years ago | Reply What has been found by Rangers in the house of the representative of New York Times should be the crux of the matter to me to be honest? How did Rangers and or Intelligence persons could enter the private house without possessing any search warrants issued by a competent court of law? What was believed to be found in the house which prompted someone to get it searched is also very pertinent and interesting question which does need an answer? What action, if any, is to be taken against the one who ordered for the search of the house where nothing objectionable could be found? Those who came to the house to conduct were obliged to personify themselves and as to whom they are and must have shown their official identification cards proving that they are not street fellows rather on the contra very truly certified officials and authorized to conduct the house search which they did as it is very much evident from the photographs flashed with the news. To the best of my understanding and belief all private properties are out of bound for all type of unauthorized persons which is a universally accepted principle and practice and I have my very serious doubts if at all Pakistan can be an exception to the global practice and rule. I did MA in 1966 as a regular student of Political Science Department, Punjab University, Lahore and therefore Pakistan Constitution was in my syllabus and as in 1969 I did LL B again as a regular student of Punjab University Law College, Lahore so I know what is the law of the land but very much surprising in this particular case on the face of it I believe we are not following the rules and regulations. As my bad luck had it, I am continually out of Pakistan since 1976 and therefore quite but naturally I am a bit rusty as to what logistics we apply when some personal place is to be investigated. I very earnestly and humbly request my worthy compatriots living in my beloved Pakistan to please do enlighten and educate me on the subject under reference. Who takes the initiative and when? Yeh aapka ehsan e garan hoga. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait / zaidi4merdiplomat@hotmail.com

Junaid | 8 years ago | Reply This is how intelligence agencies work throughout the world. Pakistan security comes first, we never know that Salman might be working for someone as in past NYT time correspondent Declan Walsh was blacklisted.

NHA | 8 years ago | Reply If there is something he does not agree with , Salman Masood must report to the authorities. It is dangerous times, better take help instead of resorting to tweeting.

ajeet | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan is now turning into a true Arabic country.

Soofiya Malik | 8 years ago | Reply @Feroz, Hameed: are you serious? We should instead be asking why is nyt even allowed in the country after publicly exposing their last mole? Every one knows nyt works on us intelligence's agenda but civilians can't bite the hand that feeds them. LEAs are true patriots and not swayed by dollars.

nadeem | 8 years ago | Reply Quite obviously, the real purpose here is intimidation.......'sending a message'........'you can be disposed of just as easily as the ones before you'...... 'rule of law is for the birds, not for journalists like you'.....'you better be careful what you publish, or else'.....and so on and so forth.

Hilmi | 8 years ago | Reply police state

Hameed | 8 years ago | Reply

“Rangers have shown up at my house

Who has allowed rangers to work above the law?

Feroz | 8 years ago | Reply In any democratic country no government official can enter a private premises without search warrant. Secondly, the officials involved need to carry their ID cards and show them when asked to. Not sure if the right procedures were followed in this case.

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