KARACHI, Dec 11: The All Pakistan Newspapers Society has strongly protested the exclusion of Freedom of Information Ordinance from the package of press laws being promulgated by the federal government.

The APNS president, Hameed Haroon, in a statement on Tuesday, welcomed the announcement by the federal information secretary, Anwar Mahmood, that the federal government intended to issue laws relating to registration of press and formation of press council, but noted that despite a clear previous agreement the federal secretary had not mentioned the promulgation of freedom of information law.

He said: “This announcement has been taken by the newspaper industry and the public at large as a rude shock and it is felt that the government is retracting on the assurances given to the press and the people of Pakistan. The draft of the Freedom of Information Act was provided by the APNS and CPNE to the ministry, as earlier formulations by the government of this draft law were not found to be acceptable as per the norms of progressive press freedoms.

“The APNS protested earlier this year, when it discovered that the Freedom of Information Act had been relegated to the National Bureau of Reconstruction under a retired general, who has so far refused to initiate a contact with the APNS and other press bodies on the issue. The resulting situation has led to putting this important law, which is a central plank of both APNS and CPNE policy, into cold storage. As a result, the very foundation of press freedom and of Article 19 of the Constitution which guarantees the freedom of press and freedom of information are being grossly undermined in the process of nation building.

“It is absurd to believe that a responsible free press can exist without accurate and timely information which leads to the creation of an informed public opinion. By blocking access to information, the government thus, whether consciously or not, is rendering ineffective the apparatus of press freedom which depends of the free flow of information. This proposed act does not endanger national security or official secrets likely to damage the formation of strategic security policies in Pakistan. It merely seems to cost a harsh and informed spotlight on the day-to-day activities of the government, which constitute 90 per cent of decisions made and certainly some of their deepest follies.

“It is time for President Gen Musharraf to act now to fulfil the unfinished agenda of the promises made in this respect upon his takeover and instruct the information and law ministries to promulgate the freedom of information law along with the proposed laws.”