RAWALPINDI- The government has decided to take action against the newspapers, printers and publishers involved in publishing ‘provocative and baseless’ news items against the president, official sources said.

They said it had been decided that such newspapers would be banned, their offices sealed and legal measures would be taken against them under the Press and Publication Ordinance, 1962.

Interior ministry spokesman Abdur Rashid Khan, when contacted, confirmed the reports saying anyone violating the law would be taken to task. The decision of taking action against the newspapers was made at an inter-provincial meeting on law and order, held at Lahore on Feb 16.

The sources said that the interior minister had directed the Sindh chief secretary and home secretary to take stern action against the ‘irresponsible’ newspapers publishing baseless stories against the president.

The minister reportedly cited some stories published in a section of the press causing problems for the government. He also cited a story published in a section of the press about his narrow escape in a road accident, the sources said.

Source: Dawn
Date:3/7/2002