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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by James P. Rubin, Spokesman
May 10, 1999

Pakistan: Attacks on Journalists

The United States is deeply concerned over the recent crackdown on members of the press by the Government of Pakistan. Victims include the respected journalist Najam Sethi, editor of the weekly English-language newspaper The Friday Times. During the past 2 weeks, he and several other colleagues have been physically mistreated, arrested without charge, subjected to threatening phone calls, and had personal property destroyed.

These actions on the part of the Government of Pakistan are certain to raise serious doubts within the international community about the commitment of the government to freedom of the press and the rule of law.

We strongly urge the Government of Pakistan to release Najam Sethi and others being held and to terminate immediately this unacceptable crackdown against members of the journalist community in Pakistan. We have raised our concerns with the government and will continue to monitor this situation closely.

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