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UK reporting trio leave Pakistan UK reporting trio leave Pakistan
(about 1 hour later)
Three Telegraph newspaper group reporters are on their way back to the UK after being expelled from Pakistan.Three Telegraph newspaper group reporters are on their way back to the UK after being expelled from Pakistan.
The Pakistani government claimed their coverage of the country's state of emergency was offensive and on Saturday ordered them to leave within 72 hours.The Pakistani government claimed their coverage of the country's state of emergency was offensive and on Saturday ordered them to leave within 72 hours.
Deputy Information Minister Tariq Azim Khan also said Isambard Wilkinson, Colin Freeman and Damien McElroy used "foul and abusive language". President Pervez Musharraf said an expletive in an editorial "shocked" him and meant Isambard Wilkinson, Colin Freeman and Damien McElroy must leave.
The declaration of emergency rule was blamed on militant violence.The declaration of emergency rule was blamed on militant violence.
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. 'Really shocked'
Apology demand The editorial at the centre of the controversy was critical of the West's relations with President Musharraf and used a quote containing an expletive to describe the key ally in the so-called "war on terror".
The president reacted angrily when questioned about the expulsions at a news conference, saying he was "really shocked" by the language used.
"Would you accept a word of that sort if I was to use it, if any one of my reporters were to use [it] against your president?" he asked.
He said he expects the Telegraph to apologise to him over the use of the expletive.
For a newspaper of the Daily Telegraph's reputation to resort to such derogatory language is highly regrettable Imran GardeziPakistan High Commission
The article, carried 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".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.
Media blackout
"This deserves an apology.""This deserves an apology."
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.
President Pervez Musharraf has said he hopes new parliamentary elections can be held by 9 January.President Pervez Musharraf has said he hopes new parliamentary elections can be held by 9 January.