KARACHI, July 26: The standing committee of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors which met here on Tuesday with CPNE president Arif Nizami in the chair, called for immediate release of all editors, newsmen and hawkers arrested during the current campaign against publication of hate literature and said that actions taken by the authorities should be within the norms of justice and the law of the land.

The meeting discussed the situation arising out of the campaign launched by security agencies in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta, arrests of editors, newsmen and hawkers and issuing of notices (later withdrawn) on the issue of hate literature to leading newspapers.

The meeting decided to bring the situation to the notice of the president, prime minister, information minister, interior minister and provincial chief ministers and governors.

The meeting declared that no member of the CPNE was engaged in publishing any literature which created hatred or in any way promoted religious extremism.

In fact, the meeting said, the member publications were opposed to publication of any form of hate material, especially in the context of the situation at home and abroad when fighting terrorism and extremism was in the interest of Pakistan and for preserving the image of the Pakistani nation.

However, the meeting regretted that police were using the methods of colonial days and taking action against the media without recourse to the law of the land and without even issuing show-cause notices.

It called upon the government not to use the campaign for “wholesale violation” of guarantees about freedom of the press and fundamental rights.

The committee noted with regret the action taken against a reporter of daily Star and said the government should avoid such actions and seek cooperation of the press in the interest of the nation and for strengthening democratic institutions.

The committee will announce on Wednesday its plan of action to handle the situation arising out of the crackdown.