ISLAMABAD: The local administration in Pakistan's northwestern Swat Valley on Thursday issued an order for the release of journalist Fayyaz Zafar, who was detained a day earlier on allegations of defaming security agencies.
The journalist, who is associated with both Voice of America and the local Daily Mashriq newspaper, was arrested after a district magistrate in Swat granted approval for his detainment under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance of 1960 on Wednesday. Zafar is accused of spreading “fake and offensive” information to stoke “anti-state sentiments” and posing a “threat” to the peaceful atmosphere of Swat by “defaming/ demoralizing the law enforcement agencies fighting against militancy.”
As per a letter released by the office of the deputy commissioner in Swat, the notification regarding Zafar's arrest was retracted following requests from the district bar association and a tribal jirga.
“As per request of the District Bar Association and notables of Tehsil Babozai Swat, the detention order U/S 3 of the West Pakistan Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance 1960 issued vide this court […] is hereby withdrawn, and the accused namely, Fayaz Zafar s/o Zafar Ali r/o Saidu sharif District Swat, be released from Jail if not involved in any other case,” the notification said from the deputy commissioner’s office said.
Pakistan's interim information minister, Murtaza Solangi, on Thursday asked authorities in Swat district to furnish a report regarding the journalist's arrest and called for a transparent investigation into the incident, saying no official should misuse their authority to suppress journalists.
Global rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders, have expressed concern over shrinking media freedom in Pakistan in recent years. The issue has been in the spotlight recently after a top Pakistani anchor, Arshad Sharif, was shot dead in Kenya last year after going on the run from Pakistan. Another broadcaster, Imran Riaz Khan, also disappeared earlier this year.
District administration in northwest Pakistan orders release of journalist detained for ‘defaming’ security agencies
https://arab.news/chq76
District administration in northwest Pakistan orders release of journalist detained for ‘defaming’ security agencies
- Journalist Fayyaz Zafar was arrested on Wednesday on charges of stoking "anti-state sentiments"
- Orders to arrest the journalist were withdrawn upon request of district bar association and tribal jirga
Pakistan, Afghanistan border clashes kill 5, officials say
- Afghanistan and Pakistan trade blame for “unprovoked firing” along Chaman-Spin Boldak border
- Exchange takes place nearly a week after a fresh round of peace talks between neighbors failed
KABUL: Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy fire along their border late on Friday, officials from both countries said, killing at least five people amid heightened tensions following failed peace talks last weekend.
Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistani forces launched attacks in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province.
His deputy Hamdullah Fitra told Reuters that shelling by Pakistan killed five people, including a Taliban member.
A spokesman for Pakistan’s prime minister said Afghan forces carried out “unprovoked firing” along the Chaman border.
“Pakistan remains fully alert and committed to ensuring its territorial integrity and the safety of our citizens,” spokesman Mosharraf Zaidi said in a statement.
The exchange came nearly a week after a new round of peace talks between the South Asian neighbors ended without a breakthrough, although both sides agreed to continue their fragile ceasefire.
The talks in Saudi Arabia last weekend were the latest in a series of meetings hosted by Qatar, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia to cool tensions following deadly border clashes in October.
At the heart of the dispute, Islamabad says Afghan-based militants have carried out recent attacks in Pakistan, including suicide bombings involving Afghan nationals. Kabul denied the charge, saying it could not be held responsible for security inside Pakistan.
Dozens were killed in October’s clashes, the worst violence on the border since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021.
