KARACHI: A number of editors of the national newspapers yesterday [Feb 19] supported the demand for the repeal of the Press and Publication Ordinance and other laws which seriously curb the freedom of the Press.

In a joint statement, the editors while referring to the repressive provisions of the Press and Publication Ordinance and the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, called upon the Government and political leaders for the immediate removal of these undesirable laws from the statute book. The statement said: “Now that the emergency has been lifted and fundamental rights have been restored it will we feel be appropriate that the President takes steps to remove the repressive laws which, while curbing the freedom of the Press, constitute the main obstacle in the way of the achievement of civil liberties.”...

The signatories to the statement are: Mr Jamil Ansari, Editor, “Dawn”, Mr Z. A. Suleri, Editor, “Pakistan Times”, Rawalpindi, Mr Majeed Nizami, Editor, “Nawai Waqt”, Lahore, Mir Khalilur Rehman, Managing Director, “Jang”, Mr Muazzam All, Managing Director, “P.P.I”, Mr Amen Tareen, Editor, “Business Post”, Karachi. — Agency

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2019