ISLAMABAD, Nov 4 : The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalist (PFUJ) has condemned the re-arrest and detention of senior Journalist Ghulam Rasool of Bahwalpur and demanded his immediate release. According to reports reaching the PFUJ Secretariat here on Thursday, Ghulam Rasool Khan had been pin-pointing embezzlement and misappropriation of public exchequer by various local departments of the Punjab government. Taking cognizance of various news items contributed by Ghulam Rasool, investigation was also initiated against high officials involved in various corruption cases. Annoyed at his critical reporting, local administration implicated him as well his brother Dr Naeem Raoof in a criminal case and arrested both of them last week. However, a local court granted them bail on Monday and ordered their release. Yet the local administration got a detention order from the District Coordination Officer Bahwalpur under section sections 16 MPO, 186 and 506-B and both were rearrested and detained at Central Jail for one month. Sharply reacting to the arrest of Ghulm Rasool and his brother, the PFUJ termed it a blunt example of highhandedness, adding that such notorious black laws used to be exercised during the dictatorial rules. The PFUJ regretted that the Punjab government claims itself champion of freedom of expression and media, yet the bureaucracy is ruthlessly using black laws like Maintenance of Public Order against media persons to punish them for exposing the corruption and misdeeds of the government officials. The PFUJ further said that it is test case for the Punjab government to fairly investigate causes of issuing detaining order of NNI Correspondent Ghulam Rasool Khan and his brother Liquat and all those who misused their powers be taken to task. The PFUJ demanded an immediate release of Ghulam Rasool and his brother forthwith failing which, the PFUJ would be constrained to issue a call for protest throughout the country, especially in the province of the Punjab.
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Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
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