HRCP, BUJ slam notice to reporter over a year-old story

QUETTA: The Balochistan Union of Journalists and Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) have strongly condemned a controversial notice sent to the reporter Akbar Notezai of daily Dawn over an investigative report he wrote a year ago, terming it a blatant violation of freedom of the press, right to expression, and Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan.

According to the notice of FIA, the defamation case against Akbar Notezai has been initiated on the basis of an investigative report he published on August 26 last year, in which he reported administrative mismanagement, alleged misuse of authority and corruption.

BUJ President Khalil Ahmed and General Secretary Abdul Ghani Kakar, in a statement issued here on Tuesday, said that taking such action against a journalist under the Cybercrime Act without judicial permission and transparent investigation also indicates misuse of power, which the concerned authorities should take strict notice of.

Meanwhile, the HRCP said, “Such actions contribute to a climate of fear and intimidation for journalists and raise serious concerns about the misuse of cybercrime laws to curb press freedom. We urge the authorities to respect constitutional protections for freedom of expression and ensure that journalists are not harassed for carrying out their professional duties in the public interest. This notice must be withdrawn immediately.”