US: South Asia Democracy Watch condemns Gilgit ATC ruling

DALLAS: South Asia Democracy Watch board of directors in its special meeting, condemned the verdict of Gilgit antiterrorism court against the owner editor in-chief of Jang Mir Shakeel ul Rahman, Geo talk show host Shaista Lodhi,Veena Malik, and her husband Asad Khatak.

The meeting termed the court ruling as a threat to democracy. It said that the court verdict is considered as a tool pressure the institution.

It was observed that the verdict was a curb on freedom of speech and expression. The meeting was briefed by SDW media coordinator who said 75 FIRs were registered against the media group.

He said the court in Gilgit made the decision on the basis of a testimony by criminals.

“Instead of speeding trials of the criminals, they are being used as witnesses against media,” the coordinator said.

Board of directors of SADeW stressed on protection of independent media as it is essential for a functioning democracy in any country.

“It seems some elements want to exert their influence to silence the opposing voices.

The board was briefed that the host of the television program who was indicted for blasphemy had apologized 30 times on air and the media group even paid damages and penalties, however all these were ignored during the trials.

SADeW Directors appealed to international watchdog groups and human rights agencies to highlight the issue.

It said the independence of media is under threat from some quarters of state organs and it is important that international peace and justice fraternities stay vigilant on this, so that media does not come under threat.