ISLAMABAD: The representative body of working journalists in the country, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), rejected on Saturday the government’s decision to ask the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) to take appropriate action against Dawn over a report published in October that caused quite a stir in political and military circles.

The PFUJ also said that it would defend freedom of the press at all costs.

“We totally reject this direction because the dismissal of the information minister, special assistant to the PM on foreign affairs and the PIO is a vindication of the version of the events and has given credence to the Dawn newspaper’s stance,” it said in a statement.

It said no investigation body had the requisite powers to recommend measures against any newspaper: “The PFUJ is of the opinion that no JIT has any power to recommend any action against any newspaper.”

“We stand by the Dawn newspaper, its editor and reporter at this critical juncture as we believe it [the government’s decision] is an attack on the freedom of press and freedom of speech,” it added.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2017