*WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said thatrestrictions on media outlets and civil society undermine Pakistan’s imageas well as its ability to progress.*
He was addressing a news conference organised by the Washington ForeignPress Centre here on Tuesday. “We are aware of significant restrictions onmedia outlets and civil society, more broadly in Pakistan,” he said.
Responding to a question, Blinken said, “Here again a vibrant free press,an informed citizenry are key for any nation and its future, includingPakistan. I think these practices that we see undermine freedom ofexpression, they undermine peaceful assembly. They undermine Pakistan’simage as well as its ability to progress.”
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The Secretary of State underlined that the US takes up this issue withPakistan at regular intervals. “It is something that comes up both in ourdirect engagements and in the work that we’re doing every day,” he added.