An international media-freedom watchdog has urged Pakistan to immediately release a reporter who was detained for his coverage of this week's violently repressed protests by minority Pashtuns in a northwestern region near the Afghan border.
The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said in a May 28 statement that Gohar Wazir, a reporter working for the private TV station Khyber News, was detained in the town of Bannu after reporting on one of the protests staged by the Pashtun Protection Movement (PTM), a group campaigning against the perceived brutality of Pakistani security forces against ethnic Pashtuns.
Thousands of PTM supporters protested in major cities across the region over the past several days, chanting slogans against the army and demanding the release of their leaders.
Wazir's arrest came days after the group led by two lawmakers clashed with troops at an army post in the North Waziristan district, setting off a shootout that wounded five troops and killed three activists.
"Gohar Wazir should not have to face arrest merely for doing the job of reporting the news, even reporting on controversial events such as protests by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement," Steven Butler, CPJ Asia program coordinator, said. .
"Restrictions on Pakistan's media only serve to undermine the strength of Pakistan's democracy," Butler added.
Related
Editor's Picks
Subscribe
Afghanistan/Pakistan Trending
1
For Afghan Refugees In Pakistan, A 'Cruel' Countdown Has Begun
2What's Behind The New Wave Of Violence In Pakistan's Balochistan?
3Hundreds Of Thousands Of Afghans In Pakistan Brace For Deportations
4Who Is Mahrang Baloch, The Rights Advocate Arrested By Pakistan On Terrorism Charges?
5Afghans No Longer Celebrate Nowruz Amid Poverty, Taliban Restrictions
6American Woman Freed By Taliban, Second Release Of US Hostage In 8 Days
7Afghans 'In Extreme Despair' Amid Uncertainty Over Their US Migration
8Millions Of Afghan Girls Barred From School For Fourth Consecutive Year
9Barred From Studying, Afghan Woman Uses Tech Skills To Keep Power Running
10American Glezmann Returns Home After 2-Year Detention In Afghanistan
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
