Unidentified persons set newspaper bundles of Daily Century Express and The Express Tribune on fire in Quetta on Tuesday morning.
The hawkers could not distribute the newspapers across the province because of the incidents that took place in the newspaper market and on Saryab Road.
According to the distributors, a group of armed men reached the market near Quetta Press Club (QPC) and snatched the piles. “The men sprinkled petrol on them and set them on fire,” one of them explained. Similarly, a group of assailants intercepted the hawkers on Saryab Road, grabbed their bundles and set them on fire.
Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani, All Pakistan Newspaper Society, Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP), Awami National Party (ANP) and journalists condemned the incident, and termed it an attack on media freedom.
The transmission of Express News has remained suspended in the city for a few days and has yet to resume. Police have been deployed to its office after receiving threats from unidentified perpetrators. The province is the most dangerous place for journalists as around 20 were killed last year.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2012.
COMMENTS (14)
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May be they were fed of news circulating around veena malik and gays. May be people demand more news on how to alleviate poverty and health issues in pakistan.. If liberals are so concerned about humanity, may be something should be printed regarding how to increase the mortality and literacy. They do come above everything else...right? Or u still feel gay rights and freedom to "expose" come first.
This made me sadden. Only newspaper i like has been treated like this.
I am glad Mr. Khan thought of defining things ........... Socrates would begin all discourse only after the definition of things ......... may be The Express Tribune should begin the debate on what is Liberal - define it!
I heard its really cold in Quetta, this is one way to keep themselves warm ;-)
@Pakistan politics: Could you please define 'LIBERAL' ... as my definition of liberal is as, A liberal, 1) One who is Patriotic in his acts and a humanist. 2) Who wants to treat every one equally regardless of their belief and social status 3) Wants to care only for future of this country and who's 1st priority is Pakistan then comes any other country or religion. 4) Even a practicing muslim can be a liberal. A Right wing person ( or some so called moderates which doesn't exist in reality) 1) Shortsighted 2) Talks about Patriotism but cares more about Palestine & Any other "Muslim" country but Pakistan first 3) Will even harm Pakistan if its against their illusionary "Ummah" concept. 4) Thinks with heart and not mind
Et has done what all Urdu newspapers have not done is to give a correct and unbiased report. No brainwashing. Well done ET.
I condemn this act, but its true ET publications are only in the favor of Liberals, Every media group has its own agenda, but the news media groups should not biased
Seems ET is now taken as serious publication among the population; it matters to them what prints in it and some express their disagreement this way.
When the news papers cannot write freely and independently, how come an individual can come to the court and record his statement against the terrorists. Prabably the action against the paper was because of the article published in Express tribune regarding BALOCHISTAN.
ISI has no role in it but you should stop printing Balochistan story.
why? what has express reported exclusivley that may have caused thier irk and not on other channels? no action taken other than condenmtion?
Sad news
First they pressures Express tribune to have news in urdu . now they burn the papers great .I really miss watching news in English on Express tribune