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Pakistan orders UK reporters out Pakistan orders UK reporters out
(20 minutes later)
Three reporters from the Telegraph newspaper group have been ordered to leave Pakistan within 72 hours.Three reporters from the Telegraph newspaper group have been ordered to leave Pakistan within 72 hours.
Deputy Information Minister Tariq Azim Khan said Isambard Wilkinson, Colin Freeman and Damien McElroy were told to leave because of offensive coverage.Deputy Information Minister Tariq Azim Khan said Isambard Wilkinson, Colin Freeman and Damien McElroy were told to leave because of offensive coverage.
President Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency a week ago, blaming militant violence and interference by the judiciary.President Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency a week ago, blaming militant violence and interference by the judiciary.
The London newsroom of the Telegraph was not available for comment. The Telegraph said it was trying to establish the facts of the situation.
The Foreign Office said it was aware that three journalists have been advised to leave Pakistan. A spokeswoman for the group said there was no comment at this stage, but a statement is expected later.
"We are seeking clarification," a spokeswoman said. The Foreign Office said it was aware that three journalists were advised to leave Pakistan and it was seeking clarification.
It added: "We believe media freedom is essential to economic and social development and stability, and actively support the evolution of a free and fair press in Pakistan."
They were using foul and abusive language against Pakistan and Pakistan's leadership Tariq Azim KhanDeputy Information MinisterThey were using foul and abusive language against Pakistan and Pakistan's leadership Tariq Azim KhanDeputy Information Minister
Under the state of emergency, the Pakistani constitution was suspended, opposition supporters arrested, Supreme Court justices replaced, and mass public gatherings banned.Under the state of emergency, the Pakistani constitution was suspended, opposition supporters arrested, Supreme Court justices replaced, and mass public gatherings banned.
"Three foreign journalists have been given 72 hours to leave the country," Mr Khan said. "Three foreign journalists have been given 72 hours to leave the country," said Mr Khan.
"They were using foul and abusive language against Pakistan and Pakistan's leadership.""They were using foul and abusive language against Pakistan and Pakistan's leadership."
He did not specify which article had prompted the expulsion, but an editorial on the telegraph.co.uk prompted a response from the press officer of the Pakistan embassy in London on Friday.He did not specify which article had prompted the expulsion, but an editorial on the telegraph.co.uk prompted a response from the press officer of the Pakistan embassy in London on Friday.
Editorial 'Flouts norms'
The editorial, which was titled Bankrupt Relationship, described Mr Musharraf's rule as a "combination of incompetence and brutality".The editorial, which was titled Bankrupt Relationship, described Mr Musharraf's rule as a "combination of incompetence and brutality".
A comment beneath the editorial from Imran Gardezi at the Pakistan High Commission said: "The language used for the President of Pakistan in your leading article is offensive and flouts the norms of decent journalism.A comment beneath the editorial from Imran Gardezi at the Pakistan High Commission said: "The language used for the President of Pakistan in your leading article is offensive and flouts the norms of decent journalism.
"For a newspaper of The Daily Telegraph's reputation to resort to such derogatory language is highly regrettable. "For a newspaper of the Daily Telegraph's reputation to resort to such derogatory language is highly regrettable.
"This deserves an apology. ""This deserves an apology. "
A media blackout is still in force. International channels like the BBC and CNN were allowed back on air on Thursday, but have since been blocked.A media blackout is still in force. International channels like the BBC and CNN were allowed back on air on Thursday, but have since been blocked.
Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was released from house arrest on Saturday and joined a rally by journalists against the partial news blackout.Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was released from house arrest on Saturday and joined a rally by journalists against the partial news blackout.