PESHAWAR, July 23: The Crimes Journalists Forum (CJF) has condemned the circular issued by the NWFP Inspector General of Police to the deputy inspector generals and district police officers across the province asking them to lodge cases against journalists.

Regretting the move the journalists termed the circular as an attempt to gag the press and create misunderstanding between the provincial government and mediapersons in the Frontier.

CJF president Javed Aziz Khan and general secretary Imran Bukhari have condemned the circular issued by the IGP, saying the move is aimed at stopping journalists from unearthing the wrongdoings being committed by policemen at the behest of their bosses.

“The IGP has directed the DPOs and other concerned officials in the circular to lodge FIRs against journalists who file news reports against the police force,” they alleged. They added that officers were also directed to file criminal cases in courts against reporters if they filed anything against the police. The act by a responsible police official, they said, had exposed the tall claims of the federal and provincial governments about the freedom of press.

“The issuance of the circular was aimed at irritating journalists and defaming the government,” the CJF leaders said.

They said that the circular was an attempt to frighten journalists through police action so they could not report anything against those misusing their official status.

They said it was duty of the newsmen to serve the country and the nation and to unveil truth about the misuse of power by the black sheep, who were exploiting people in the guise of police personnel.

The CJF president and general secretary asked the federal and provincial governments to take notice of the irresponsible statement issued by the top police officer of the province.