LAHORE, Aug 30: Describing the filing of a case against seven Hyderabad journalists as a proof of the establishment’s intolerance of freedom of media, the HRCP has called upon the authorities to stop abusing their powers.

A statement issued here on Saturday by HRCP secretary-general Hina Jilani said: “The report that the Hyderabad police have charged without provocation seven local journalists with as serious offences as sedition and anti-state activities will shock entire civil society of the country. The incident not only betrays the establishment’s intolerance of media freedom, it also focuses on police arrogance of the ugliest variety.

The journalists are now reported to have been released. While that amounts to a welcome correction, it is necessary to call to account those responsible for their detention, however short its duration. Abuse of law to interfere with journalists’ calling cannot be condoned under any circumstances. The case must be withdrawn and all state functionaries firmly warned against subjecting journalists and, for that matter, any citizen to excesses.”