US mission expresses concern over harassment of Pak scribes

The United States Embassy in Pakistan has expressed its concern over reported incidents of journalists being harassed in Pakistan.

Islamabad, Sep 22 : The United States Embassy in Pakistan has expressed its concern over reported incidents of journalists being harassed in Pakistan.

Acting Deputy Chief of Mission E Candace Putnam and Public Affairs Counsellor Kay Webb Mayfield called on Information and Broadcasting Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani to express their concern over the "recent incidents of Pakistani journalists being subjected to assaults and harassment," a statement released by the embassy said.

"Putnam brought to light the cases of attack on television journalists who were covering events at Islamabad Airport on September 10, the reported attack on the son of a South Asian News Agency editor on September 14, and the reported abduction and interrogation of a Dawn TV reporter from September 15 to17," the Daily Times reported.

The American diplomats noted the intense media scrutiny that will be focused on Pakistan during the upcoming elections and other political events, with large numbers of national and international journalists covering developments in the country.

They urged the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to work closely with the police and other agencies responsible for maintaining public order to ensure that journalists are able to perform their jobs without intimidation and without fear of reprisal.

ANI