ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday again asked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to stop violence against journalists in the country, according to the presidency. 

In a statement, issued from the Presidential Palace, Dr Alvi sent another letter addressed to the Prime Minister today and has asked the Prime Minister to direct the concerned Ministries and Departments to take remedial measures and preemptive actions to alleviate apprehensions and grievances of the journalists and media persons against incidents of harassment, physical abuse and violence

The President also attached a letter received by him from Mr Arshad Sharif, a leading anchorperson, where he has drawn the attention of the President towards the incidents of harassment while quoting a few eminent journalists and information gathered by him through different sources, according to the statement. 

 
“The Constitution urges the state to provide due rights and protection to individuals. Pakistan has always strived to do so, but in the case of journalists and media persons, if they feel pressurized, fair criticism within the bounds of law, freedom of expression and then democracy itself is threatened”, said the President.

In the letter addressed to the President, Mr Arshad Sharif had alleged that some unscrupulous elements were threatening to endanger his life and requested the President to safeguard his fundamental rights as enshrined in Articles 4, 9, 10A, 14, 18, 19 and 19A of the Constitution of Pakistan.

Several journalists in South Asian country are currently facing life threats as the government victimizing all those journalists who are raising voice against the price hike and alleged US regime change operation in Pakistan.

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was ousted from power in April, accused Washington of hatched a conspiracy against his elected government and using the then opposition [now ruling coliation] to topple his government. 

Last week, the government arrested a prominent journalist Imran Riaz Khan, who is vocal against the US regime change and criticizes Washington for toppling an elected government in their country. 

Khan was later released by the Lahore High Court on bail, however, on Friday he was stopped by Pakistani authorities at Lahore Airport when he was leaving  for UAE.

According to Khan’s lawyer Mian Ali Ashfaq, he is not feeling well since released from Punjab police custody and the doctors suspected that he was poisoned during custody. 

Doctors advised him some lab tests to confirm the real cause of illness and that facility is not available in Pakistan, according to Ashfaq. 

“Imran Riaz Khan had to leave for Dubai today with a return ticket for a lab test immediately after his physical examination, for which he got an appointment with great difficulty, based on his name being on the watch list at Lahore Airport. Has been stopped - you will be responsible for further deterioration,” Ashfaq tweeted. 

The journalists’ community in Pakistan expressed deep concerns over the suspected poisoning to Khan during police custody in Lahore and requested the Supreme Court of Pakistan for immediate notice. 

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan also expressed deep concern over the latest reports and said called government actions illegal and against the laws. 

“Imran Riaz was kept in a cage, where civilised countries would not even allow animals to be kept.Poisoning also suspected.All those responsible shd be ashamed,” Khan tweeted while posted a video of Imran Riaz Khan in police cell where he was kept in a small room like cage.

 “Rather than scaring ppl of Pak into silence, this only adds to ppl's anger against this cabal of crooks & their handlers,” Pakistani former premier said.

Last week, Amnesty International, CPJ, International Federation of Journalists, and other rights and journalists organizations asked the government of Pakistan to stop its actions against Imran Riaz Khan, however, the victimization of journalists still continues.