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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Pakistan orders UK reporters out | Pakistan orders UK reporters out |
| (30 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 Telegraph said it was trying to establish the facts of the situation. | The Telegraph said it was trying to establish the facts of the situation. |
| Mr Khan said the foreign journalists had been using "foul and abusive language" against Pakistan and Pakistan's leadership. | Mr Khan said the foreign journalists had been using "foul and abusive language" against Pakistan and Pakistan's leadership. |
| They were using foul and abusive language against Pakistan and Pakistan's leadership Tariq Azim KhanDeputy Information Minister | They were using foul and abusive language against Pakistan and Pakistan's leadership Tariq Azim KhanDeputy Information Minister |
| Mr Khan did not specify which article had prompted the expulsion, but an editorial on the Telegraph website prompted a response from the press officer of the Pakistan embassy in London on Friday. | Mr Khan did not specify which article had prompted the expulsion, but an editorial on the Telegraph website prompted a response from the press officer of the Pakistan embassy in London on Friday. |
| The editorial, which was titled Bankrupt Relationship, described Gen 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." |
| Media freedom 'essential' | Media freedom 'essential' |
| Under the state of emergency, the Pakistani constitution has been suspended, while opposition supporters have been arrested, Supreme Court justices replaced, and mass public gatherings banned. | Under the state of emergency, the Pakistani constitution has been suspended, while opposition supporters have been arrested, Supreme Court justices replaced, and mass public gatherings banned. |
| 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. |
| The Foreign Office said it was aware that three journalists had been advised to leave Pakistan and it was seeking clarification. | The Foreign Office said it was aware that three journalists had been 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." | 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." |
| It is believed two of the journalists work for the Daily Telegraph and one for the Sunday Telegraph. | It is believed two of the journalists work for the Daily Telegraph and one for the Sunday Telegraph. |
| A spokeswoman for the Telegraph group said there was no comment at this stage, but a statement was expected later. | A spokeswoman for the Telegraph group said there was no comment at this stage, but a statement was expected later. |