to the President of Pakistan, voicing its concern over the recent
violent attack assault and abduction of Sami Paracha, a district
correspondent for the Daily Dawn newspaper in Kohat, North West Frontier
Province.
Recommended action:
Send appeals to:
General Pervez Musharraf
President and Chief Executive of Pakistan
Via Email: [email protected]
to justice.
For more information please contact Jacqui Park at
[email protected]
Please copy appeals to the IFJ Asia Office at [email protected]
The IFJ have protested to the Government of Pakistan in the following
letter:
07 May 2003
General Pervez Musharraf
President and Chief Executive of Pakistan
Via Email: [email protected]
Dear General Musharraf,
The International Federation of Journalists, the global organisation of
journalists representing over 500,000 journalists worldwide, is deeply
concerned about the assault and abduction of Sami Paracha, a district
correspondent for the Daily Dawn newspaper in Kohat, North West Frontier
Province.
According to our information, Paracha was abducted and assaulted by a
criminal gang on the 18 April 2003. Paracha had been investigating Pir
Habib Shah, who had earlier been arrested and is currently receiving
above standard medical attention at a hospital. Allegedly Pir Habib Shah
became annoyed with Paracha's investigations and threatened Paracha.
A group of Pir Habib Shah's associates allegedly visited Paracha's house
and asked him to accompany them to a meeting, to be attended by the town
mayor. However Paracha was taken to the hospital where he was
threatened, beaten up and locked into a bathroom. Paracha was able to
contact the senior superintendent of Police (SSP) with his mobile and
alert the, of his situation.
The Police raided the area where Paracha was being held captured and
were successful in rescuing him. The SSP arrested five people and
registered criminal complaints under the Anti-Terrorism ACT.
The IFJ is requesting that the Government of Pakistan launch a full
investigation into this event and ensure that the people responsible are
brought to justice.
The IFJ asks that you take all appropriate measures to ensure the safety
of all journalists working in Pakistan.
Yours sincerely,
Christopher Warren
President, IFJ