KARACHI, Aug 29: The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) on Friday protested against the sedition and other heinous charges registered against seven journalists by the Hyderabad Police and termed the action anti-Press.

CPNE Secretary-General Dr Jabbar Khattak, in a press statement, criticized the arrest and registration of cases against the journalists under sections 147 (rioting), 149 (unlawful assembly), 124a (sedition), 123a (anti-state activities), 353 (obstruction in discharge of official duties) and 332 (causing injury to public servants).

Dr Khattak stated that the journalists were severely mishandled while they were performing their professional duties. Such actions were intended to obstruct the journalists from reporting the events that took place during President Pervez Musharraf’s visit to Hyderabad.

These actions were grossly violative of Press freedom as enshrined in the Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan.

The Secretary-General urged the Government of Sindh to take immediate cognizance of the matter and withdraw false sedition cases against the journalists.

He hoped that Sindh Chief Minister would initiate an investigation against police officials for transgressing their duties and ensure that freedom of the Press was safeguarded in the province.—PPI