ISLAMABAD – The Press Council of Pakistan has served a notice to Dawnnewspaper for what it called a violation of the ethical code of practicefor its publishing of an interview with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif,in which he spoke of Pakistan’s involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, an independent NGO, expressedconcern over the notice.
It urged the authorities not to interfere with the media’s right to reportfairly.
In a statement posted on Twitter, the commission said it was concerned thatthe newspaper’s circulation had been subjected to seemingly arbitrary curbs.
The commission noted: “There is no evidence to suggest that Dawn hasundermined Pakistan’s sovereignty or integrity… by publishing aninterview with the former prime minister speaking on the record.”
The commission described such moves as harassment of the media. “Such curbsare tantamount to press harassment and only chip away further at theshrinking space for Freedom of Expression,” it said.
In the interview to Dawn, Sharif had questioned the policy of usingPakistan-based terrorists for cross-border attacks such as the assault onMumbai.