Irfan Baloch
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IN response to a news report published in Dawn on Thursday, Oct 6, the Office of the Prime Minister has issued yet another statement, strongly denying the contents and rejecting it as a fabrication.
This is the third contradiction issued by the PM office, the first one and then its revised and stronger version being released on October 6.
Following a meeting of the top civilian and military leadership on Monday, the latest PM office statement said, the participants expressed concern over the publication of a “fabricated news story” in Daily Dawn pertaining to security issues purportedly discussed in a meeting of National Security Committee last week.
The statement said, “the participants were unanimous that the published story was clearly violative of universally acknowledged principles of reporting on National Security issues and has risked the vital state interests through inclusion of inaccurate and misleading contents which had no relevance to actual discussion and facts”.
The participants felt that it was imperative that Print and Electronic media refrained itself from speculative reporting and issues of national security and interests of the state.
According to the statement, “Prime Minister took serious notice of the violation and directed that those responsible should be identified for stern action”.
NOTE: 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. – Editor Dawn
ECL
According to reports, Dawn's member of staff Cyril Almeida, who wrote the news report "Act against militants or face international isolation, civilians tell military", has been put on the country's Exit Control List (ECL).
The ECL is a system of border control maintained by the Government of Pakistan under the Exit from Pakistan (Control) Ordinance. Those persons on the list are prohibited from leaving Pakistan.
on the face of it. ,.. the story was interesting .. forget the contents, the subject matter but ... just the fact that the powerful military & intelligence service can be questioned and advised.
but as the time passed.. the story got worse.
first.. the PMLn disassociated itself with the story and put the blame squarely on Dawn ( a signature deceitful nature use/ abuse & discard)
one can debate whether the civil servant actually raise these questions or not? and whether Shabaz Sherif really have that altercation in the same sitting or not? (if both PMLn and Army have denied that from happening then I have missed that).
the thing is.. Nawaz league is not disputing the contents of the story.. it is only denying the leak from its side. it is blaming Dawn of professional misconduct maybe? suggesting that it either fabricated the story or got it illegally.
issue here is the missing spine in the back of Nawaz who uses someone else's shoulder to speak his mind and fearing the potential reprisal disowns the story. .. but knows well that it has hurt the army and has pleased India as intended
Nawaz government continues to punish Dawn for publishing the story but has not made a clarification saying that it never blamed Pakistan military for its reluctance to go against the terrorist groups inside Punjab (because it is itself a hurdle against any Karachi like operation) after all Nawaz will count on the same terrorist and banned organisations to confront the PTI sit in which is planned in few weeks time.
please quote me any comments from ISPR on this subject. because it is confusing and hard to decide if this India friendly statement was really made by civilian leadership or not?
for me Leaking news is nothing! the thing is how can a civilian asked question from Respectable general, and that news was leaked. that's the problem.
in an ideal world with a real democracy civilian and military people can ask questions for the sake of the state.
respectable generals are part of the state and a civil servant with correct designation and authority can ask questions and seek clarification . this only helps in running the state of affairs of the country.
nothing wrong with that. its not even wrong suspecting and demanding clarification from any state institution.. .. what is wrong is leaking the story like a tabloid and then denying it.. it shows a petty and worthless face and non seriousness of the government
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absolutely correct. civil or military power ...Yet another petty reminder that Pakistan is run for the convenience of those in power, not for its citizenry.
you will have a different view
but what really grinds my gears is why government is acting so petty.. it leaks the story and then denies it leaked it?
if it took the plunge and built up the (Dutch) courage to ask the questions (on behalf of India)
then why shy away from officially boasting it to the channels that hey world rejoice.. democracy is in control and we have GHQ under the thumb..
whether the questions were legit or not is another discussion ..i am still not sure if they were really posed to the military brass?
the fall guy here is Dawn.. how it has been abused and abandoned by civilian government is... really sad