Pakistan Bans English Daily 'Dawn' for Publishing Nawaz Sharif's Confession on 26/11 Mumbai Attacks

Islamabad, May 19: The Pakistan local English daily, Dawn was reportedly banned in some areas of Balochistan by the government of Pakistan. Paris-based Reporters without Borders (RSF) revealed that the government had banned the circulation of the newspaper for publishing a controversial interview of former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif

According to a report of Pakistan Today, Local journalists, including members of Turbat Press Club confirmed the disruption in the circulation of the newspaper. A senior member of Dawn also accepted that there were problems in distribution, however, according to him, things were sorted out.

In the interview last week, Sharif had accepted that the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks were carried out by Pakistan-born terrorists. The interview has drawn ire of top civil and military leadership.

In the interview, Nawaz had said, “Militant organisations are active. Call them non-state actors, should we allow them to cross the border and kill 150 people in Mumbai? Explain it to me. Why can’t we complete the trial?” After Sharif’s remark, Pakistan prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi conducted two meetings with the country’s National Security Council.

The RSF reported that Dawn's circulation has been disrupted in most parts of Balochistan province, major cities in Sindh province and all military cantonments. According to the Press Council of Pakistan, the newspaper breached the ethical code of practice by publishing content that undermined the sovereignty and integrity of the country.

A total of 166 people were killed in the Mumbai attacks. Last month also Pakistan’s largest TV station Geo was forced off the air.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 20, 2018 01:05 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).