Restrictions on freedom of expression hurt Pakistan identity: US

US Secretary of State Anthony Blankenship has said that the US government is aware of restrictions on media outlets and civil society in Pak...

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US Secretary of State Anthony Blankenship has said that the US government is aware of restrictions on media outlets and civil society in Pakistan, adding that such restrictions on freedom of expression undermine the country's image and development potential.

 

US Secretary of State warns that blocking free media violates the right to freedom of expression; file photo: Reuters

The senior US official statement came in response to a question from a Pakistani journalist during a press briefing on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.

The journalist questioned that Pakistan is still one of the countries considered as the most dangerous place for journalists. Last year, many journalists were killed, abducted and tortured for exposing crime and corruption and criticizing government policies. Targeted, was this issue raised in bilateral talks with Pakistani authorities?

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Anthony Blanken replied, "The short answer is yes. We keep raising this issue with our Pakistani counterparts."

He went on to say that "of course this is an important part of the annual human rights reports that we present and of course we are aware of the significant restrictions on a wide range of media outlets and civil society in Pakistan".

According to the World Press Freedom Index, Pakistan has dropped 12 points in one year in the score of media freedom and is now even lower than Afghanistan where the Taliban rule.

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The World Press Freedom Index is released annually by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), also known by its English name 'Reporters with Borders'. Below Nepal but above Bangladesh, Iran and China.

Yesterday, the US Secretary of State said that a vibrant and independent media and informed citizens are important for any nation and its future, including Pakistan.

He warned that this practice of restricting free media violates the right to freedom of expression.

He further said that it harms the peaceful protest, it also harms the image and development potential of Pakistan, so it is something that hinders our direct engagements and everything we do. Doing daily