Islamabad: Former information minister Pervaiz Rashid on Thursday broke his long silence about his removal from the post after publication of a news story in October last year that was termed by the army as a serious breach of national security.
“It is not the responsibility of the information minister to block news. If the duty of an information minister is to stop the publication of stories, then this should be taught to journalism students at the university level,” the former minister said.
Rashid said he had discharged his duties as information minister within the ambit of the Constitution. “I did what could be done in a democratic society,” he added.
“In a democratic society, you inform reporters of the factual situation and give them your point of view, but you cannot force them [to withdraw the story],” he said, adding: “I gave my point of view to the reporter when I was asked for it”.
The source-based news report in ‘Dawn’ newspaper, which was related to a high-level security meeting at the PM House, had said that civilian participants had told the military to act against militant outfits or face international isolation.
A committee set up by the government under a retired high court judge held an inquiry for months to determine facts and fix responsibility regarding publication of what was termed a “fabricated story”, submitted its report last week. On the basis of recommendations of the committee the prime minister directed removal of Tariq Fatemi from his position as his special assistant on foreign affairs and dismissal of the government’s principal information officer, through a notification issued by the PM Office.
The army rejected the notification saying in a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations department that the notification gave incomplete picture and was not in line with the recommendations of the inquiry board.
Fatemi has rejected allegations against him and the principal information officer has said he would take the matter to court.
Opposition parties are demanding that the full report of the inquiry committee be made public, accusing the government of trying to cover up someone.
