Journalist’s name removed from ECL

ISLAMABAD: The name of Dawn reporter Cyril Almeida has been removed from the Exit Control List (ECL), the Interior Ministry announced on Friday.

However, the spokesman made it clear that withdrawal of the journalist’s name from the ECL would in no way affect the ongoing inquiry into the matter and the inquiry would fix responsibility for the said news item.

Almeida’s name was added to the ECL last Monday after he wrote a news report headlined “Act against militants or face international isolation, civilians tell military”.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) rejected the story thrice since its publication on October 6.The decision to put Almeida off the ECL was taken after a joint delegation of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) and Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) called on Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan here.

Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Pervaiz Rashid and Principal Information Officer (PIO) Rao Tehsin Ali Khan were also present on the occasion.Talking to the delegation, Nisar said the independent media must play its role not only in safeguarding the national interests but also to counter the negative propaganda of state enemies.

“Unverified and speculative news items citing sources on national security issues must be refrained that cross ethical boundaries of responsible journalism,” the minister said.Pervaiz Rashid said the government had firm belief in the freedom of the press and proved it time and again that there could be no compromise on it.

The delegation comprised Sarmad Ali, President APNS, Zia Shahid, President CPNE, Umar Shami, Secretary General APNS, Aijazul Haq, Secretary General CPNE, and senior journalists Arif Nizami and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman Shami.

Earlier, Dawn clarified its position and stated on record that the story “was verified, cross-checked and fact-checked.”The note further stated that “Many at the helm of affairs are aware of the senior officials, and participants of the meeting who were contacted by the newspaper for collecting information. Therefore, the elected government and state institutions should refrain from targeting the messenger, and scape-goating the country’s most respected newspaper in a malicious campaign.”

In the wake of the travel ban on Almeida, human rights and journalists’ organisations, including the HRCP, PFUJ and CPNE, protested and rallied in his support.Most TV news channels also ran reports and conducted programmes criticising the government’s decision.