KARACHI, July 27: The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) on Wednesday said freedom of the Press in the country was precariously poised and actions taken against newspapers, arrest of their editors, working journalists and even hawkers, under the cover of campaign against terrorists, were bound to tarnish Pakistan’s image abroad.

The council approved the formation of a joint action committee comprising representatives of the CPNE, APNS, PFUJ, Press Club and hawkers’ organizations. It reiterated its stand against religious extremism and terrorism, but emphasized that it could not allow extra-judicial measures against the Press on the pretext of action against irresponsible press.

The CPNE agreed in principle to set up a media complaints committee owing to delay in the formation of the Press Council. It also decided to prepare a white paper on the government action against freedom of the Press. The task had been assigned to Mr Mahmoodul Aziz, Qazi Asad Abid and Mr Owais Aslam Ali.