Pak shoots the messenger: Clampdown on scribe who reported civil-military rift

Islamabad, Oct 11: Pakistan has clamped down on a journalist after he reported about the rift between the country's civilian government and the military. The journalist, Cyril Almeida, an assistant editor with the Dawn newspaper has been put on the Exit Control List which bars him from travelling outside the country.

Almeida took to his Twitter account to say, "Puzzled, saddened. Had no intention of going anywhere. This is my home, Pakistan." As per this order, the journalist will not be able to leave Pakistan.

After Dawn broke the story, Pakistan's army chief, General Raheel Sharif met with Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif. The Prime Minister immediately ordered the authorities to take stern action while terming the story as a fabricated one.

On October 6, the journalist had written that there was a rift between the civilian government and the military. The story also spoke about a verbal confrontation between Punjab Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharrif and ISI chief, Lt. General Rizwan Akthar.

The duel, according to the report, was over the support given to the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad.

After action was taken against the journalist, Dawn had issued a clarification. It read, "Dawn would like to clarify and state on the record several things. First, this newspaper considers it a sacred oath to its readers to pursue its reporting fairly, independently and, above all, accurately.

The story that has been rejected by Prime Minister's Office as a fabrication was verified, cross-checked and fact-checked.

Second, 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, and more than one source confirmed and verified the details.

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."

OneIndia News