NEW YORK: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has said it is deeply disturbed by evidence that Pakistan’s government is continuing to persecute Najam Sethi, editor of The Friday Times, by stopping him, from proceeding abroad to receive an award from the Amnesty International.

In a letter issued by Ann K Cooper, Executive Director of CPJ, and faxed to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday, the CPJ stated, in the last few weeks, various government agencies have blocked Sethi from leaving Pakistan, confiscated his passport, and filed more than two dozen cases of tax evasion against him and his family. The CPJ also condemned the action of officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) who prevented Sethi from boarding his scheduled flight to London, where he was due to accept an award from the Amnesty International recognising him as being one among the “Journalists Under Threat”.

The CPJ demanded all government actions against Sethi be ceased, and his fundamental right to travel freely be quickly restored.

Pakistan’s restrictions on Sethi’s travel violate Article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees freedom of movement to all citizens, the committee added. PPI

Source: The News

Date:6/25/1999