WASHINGTON: An international media advocacy group, the Committee to Protect Journalists urged Pakistan on Saturday to immediately reverse the order to close the Islamabad bureau of the US-funded Radio Mashaal.

Mashaal is the Pashto-language service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), which is funded by the US Congress.

CPJ said the interior ministry issued an order on Friday, asking Radio Mashaal to immediately close its Islamabad office “in light of recommendations made by the country’s intelligence agency”.

According to RFE/RL, the ministry said in its closure order that Radio Mashaal’s programmes were “found against the interests of Pakistan and are in line with [a] hostile intelligence agency’s agenda”.

“The order to close Radio Mashaal’s office in Islamabad is a draconian move by Pakistani authorities and a direct threat to press freedom in the country,” said Steven Butler, CPJ’s Asia Programme Coordinator in Washington.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2018

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.