A matter of grave concern

Sadly, Pakistan figures prominently in reports prepared by four media organisations and released recently by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), declaring 2006 as the bloodiest year for journalists around the world.
The one covering Pakistan noted that until last November the number of recorded incidents of attacks and harassment against journalists in the country had crossed the 100 mark.
It notes that during the 2006, four journalists Munir Ahmad Sangi (Kawish) Hayatullah Khan (BBC), Maqbool Sial (Online), and Mohmmad Ismael (PPI) were killed. It goes to assign the responsibility for these crimes to various government agencies, militant groups and political parties.
Earlier last month IFJ president, Christopher Warren, had also expressed concern over the proposed setting up of a Press and Publications Regulatory Authority (PAPRA), saying "such a move by the government would be another blow to press freedom in a year which has been the worst for journalists' rights in Pakistan's 59-year history."
Aside from the murder of the four journalists, which is deeply disturbing, there have been a number of cases of disappearances. Last September, a member of the editorial staff of this paper, Saeed Sarbazi, went missing on his way to work. As it turned out, his 'disappearance' was a case of mistaken identity, and he was released after two days of illegal detention and physical abuse. But many others have not been so lucky.
The list of those who have suffered kidnapping and different forms of violence in the line of duty is too long to be recounted here. Such unabashed crimes against journalists at the hands of certain agencies have encouraged some government leaders to feel free to beat up journalists. A few months ago, the Federal Labour Minister had a PFUJ office-bearer beaten up for bothering him with what he thought was an irritating question, while the Punjab police thrashed three TV journalists at a Sunni Tehrik rally without any provocation.
And instead of apologising to the victims of the senseless attack, the Punjab government reacted with punitive action of its own against one of the TV channels, blocking its transmissions. The increasing violence against the media persons, needless to say, is indicative of lack of tolerance and respect for freedom of the press.
There is no denying that for a considerable duration General Pervez Musharraf showed unprecedented tolerance for press freedom. Unlike some of his predecessors, he has been taking personal criticism in good stride. But the increasing incidence of violence and intimidation against journalists and the proposal to set up PAPRA have caused serious harm to the goodwill he had earned.
His minions have apparently been exploiting the difficulties the government faces in the restive tribal areas and Balochistan to use violence to keep the journalists from performing their professional duties.
Unfortunate as it is, none of those responsible for the four journalists' murder or kidnapping and beating of others has been punished, or even apprehended. And no such action is expected in the days to come. The responsibility for such grave excesses falls squarely on the government's shoulders.
It does not do any good to its image when anyone acts in its name to suppress the truth; and in doing so resorts to measures that are not only violative of the freedom of the press, but also against fundamental human rights.