31 Aug 10 | Index Index, minipost
A reporter for Dunya News was assaulted outside his residence on 29 August and has received death threats after he filmed two brothers being lynched by a mob in Sailkot earlier in the month. Hafiz Imran was reportedly pushed against a wall by unidentified men on motorcycles and sustained fractures to his shoulder. On 15 August he witnessed the brutal killing of two teenage brothers. The boys were beaten to death with sticks after being accused of robbery. A number of police officers witnessed the killings but failed to intervene.
28 Jul 10 | Index Index, minipost, News and features
The Chairman of Pakistan’s Judicial Activism Panel, Azhar Siddique, has appealed to the Lahore High Court to permanently ban Facebook. The petition was lodged in wake of an “anti-Islam competition,” entitled “Everybody Burn Koran Day,” being hosted on the website. He additionally called upon authorities to outlaw displaying, publishing or televising blasphemous material of any religion.
29 Jun 10 | Index Index, minipost
A cameraman has been attacked and beaten by police in Pakistan, after filming violent clashes during a protest in Lahore. According to colleagues Farrukh Asif, who works for the Urdu language station Express News, was approached by police officers as he filmed three protestors being beaten. After refusing to hand over his camera or destroy footage of the incident, Asif himself was attacked. He was taken to a nearby police station and detained, suffering further violence while in custody. After being released, Asif was taken to hospital with injuries to his arms, back, and head, as well as a fractured collarbone.
25 Jun 10 | Index Index, minipost
A leaked confidential document reveals that authorities are planning strict measures to control internet content. The guidelines, obtained by Association for Progressive Communication member, Bytes for All, propose laws allowing officials to block any online material that it finds “objectionable”. “Objectionable” is not defined, leading critics to argue that the move gives the government “carte blanche” over internet content. The move follows recent widespread blocking of websites including Facebook and YouTube.
