ISLAMABAD: The United States has expressed concern over the level of press freedom in Pakistan and the threats that journalists face in the country every day.
“We are alarmed and deplore the increased attacks on journalists in Pakistan. The most recent attack against one of Pakistan’s most well regarded journalists, who has been a staunch defender of fundamental democratic freedoms including freedom of the press here, should be a wake-up call to all who value democracy in this country,” the US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson said in reference to the recent attack on Raza Rumi in which his driver was killed and guard injured.
Olson made these remarks in a meeting with a group of nine American journalists from the East-West Center’s Journalists Exchange programme. During the meeting, they discussed issues of press freedom and dangers to journalists in Pakistan.
The US envoy said that a free media is a key ingredient of democracy, and allows for a healthy national discussion on shaping a peaceful future for the country.
“Everyone must do more to defend these courageous voices against those who seek to silence them,” Olson said.
