16 May 2004	Sunday	25 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

NEW YORK, May 15: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Friday condemned the harassment and detention of several Pakistani journalists who were covering the return of PML exiled leader to Lahore on May 11.

"We are outraged by these blatant press freedom violations," said CPJ Executive Director Ann Cooper.

"Authorities targeted and illegally detained journalists who were trying to cover an important news event. Sadly, this appears to be part of an overall deterioration of conditions for journalists in Pakistan, and we urge authorities to reverse this disturbing trend," Ms Cooper said.