NUJ(I) seeks protection for Pak journalists

New Delhi, June 15 (UNI) Alleging that certain political parties affiliated to the Pakistani government were specifically targeting independent media and were responsible for organised attacks on journalists, the National Union of Journalists (India) today demanded that the Musharraf regime provide enough protection to Pakistani journalists as also stop gagging the media.

A large group of journalists assembled before the Pakistan High Commission here to express solidarity with Pakistani journalists facing acts of killings, coercion and intimidation.

''We are alarmed at reports from news sources that political bodies, often linked to your government, are the ones responsible in generating fear and concern amongst journalists,'' NUJ-I President N K Trikha said in a memorandum submitted to President Musharraf through the Pakistan High Commission.

''The Mohajir Rabita Council (MRC) of the Mottahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), a political party aligned with the Musharraf government, has released a list of twelve journalists who have been identified as ethnic and linguistic "chauvinists" and 'enemies'.

This list also includes some senior office-bearers of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists,'' Dr Trikha said.

The NUJ memorandum to Pervez Musharraf came a day before the first death anniversary of Pakistan journalist Hayatullah Khan whose body was found dumped with bullet wounds in North Waziristan.

UNI