The APNS expressed its concern over the statement of a spokesman of Tahreek-e-Taliban, Pakistan wherein the media persons and establishments were threatened of dire consequences, stated a press release of APNS. Masood Hamid, Secretary General of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society, stated that the Executive Committee of the APNS at its meeting held on October 15, 2012 at Karachi under the chairmanship of its President, Sarmad Ali, considered the threats issued by Taliban against the media.
The APNS stated that such threats to the media were aimed at curbing the freedom of press and browbeating the voice of the people to force then to accept the dictates of different political and militant groups. The Executive Committee resolved that such threats or any militant action cannot stop media to discharge its professional duties to disseminate news and views to the public. The media in Pakistan has remained the watchdog of the People s Right to Know even in dictatorial regimes and would continue to brave the threats to its freedom attained after a protracted struggle. The Executive Committee urged upon the Federal Government and especially, the Ministry of Interior to provide foolproof security to the media establishments as well as the media persons to ensure that no cowardly attempt from any quarter would harm the innocent people.-PR