Pak ranked at 152 in Press freedom

The monarchical states and war-torn countries have much better world ranking in press freedom than Pakistan, as a new study has revealed that Pakistan grabbed 152nd position out of 169 countries.

Islamabad, Dec 2 : The monarchical states and war-torn countries have much better world ranking in press freedom than Pakistan, as a new study has revealed that Pakistan grabbed 152nd position out of 169 countries.

Reporters Without Borders (RWB), an international non-government organisation, that advocates freedom of the press, in its 2007 world ranking has placed Pakistan at 152nd position while UAE and Saudi Arabia, two states under monarchy, find 65th and 148th positions respectively.

Pakistan in the last five years despite government's inflated claims of bestowing media more freedom has seen tremendous drop in its position in terms of press freedom.

In 2002, Pakistan was occupying 119th position in the said report.

RWB compiles and publishes an annual ranking of countries based upon the organisation's assessment of their press freedom record.

Intriguingly, many highly indebted African third-world countries like Ghana, Mozambique, Uganda, Chad and Ethiopia have better positions in the freedom of press ranking report.

Ghana is at 29th, Mozambique at 73rd, Uganda at 96th, Chad at 113th and Ethiopia is at 150th position.

The most alarming fact of the report is that the war-torn Afghanistan with hundred of warlords and rampant lawlessness holds the better position than Pakistan as Afghanistan is at the 142nd position, 10 points above Pakistan.

Another war ravaged country Sudan has been placed on 140th position in the world ranking.

RWB's report is based on questionnaire sent to partner organisations of RWB and its 130 correspondents around the world, the Nation reported.

ANI