Pakistan: SAFMA Sec Gen arrested

Posted by Jean Yves Chainon on November 6, 2007 at 9:55 AM

According to the Rural Media Network in Pakistan, Imtiaz Alam, Secretary General of the South Asian Free Media Association and World Editors Forum Board member, was arrested by the Pakistani police.

Amidst the recent clampdown against political workers and civilians who have resisted the imposed emergency status, Alam was picked up by policemen on his way to the office on Monday.

His driver was released later, but Alam was taken to an undisclosed place. Officials didn't comment on the report and Alam's whereabouts.

Alam is also the current affairs editor of The News.

The World Association of Newspapers and the World Editors Forum will be sending a letter of protest to Pakistani officials to request the release of Alam and the pursuit of press freedom, in a country where newspapers and the media are faced with increased governmental control and censorship.

The Rural Media Network also reported that the government has decided to monitor 21 national Urdu and English language newspapers to ensure the implementation of one of its recent amendments, which represents a clear case of politically-motivated censorship: "Special officers have been asked to scan news, editorials, and readers' letters containing material against President Musharraf and the armed forces," an Information Ministry official said.

Source: Daily Times - Rural Media Network Pakistan

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