'Erring' scribes to be deported

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, OCT. 13. Pakistan would deport any foreign journalist who visits its prohibited border region or travels to Afghanistan without proper documents.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mr. Riaz Mohammed Khan, issued the warning after two French and one British journalist were arrested after slipping into Afghanistan. He urged journalists not to be ``adventurous,'' adding the Government would take unspecified action against their employers as well.

One of the detained French journalists, Mr. Michel Peyrard of the French weekly Paris Match, tried to disguise himself by wearing a burqa. He was apparently still jailed in Afghanistan.

The other French journalist, Aziz Zemouri of Le Figaro magazine, was arrested in Afghanistan and handed over to Pakistani officials. The British journalist, Ms. Yvonne Ridley, who works for the Sunday Express of London, was released and sent to Pakistan last week.

It appears the Taliban militia wanted to take a media party consisting of a group of Pakistani and international media from Islamabad to show them the devastation and civilian causalities caused by the U.S.-led military campaign in the last one week.

It was not clear whether the Pakistan Government has any objection to the proposal.

Mr. Khan said that there have been instances in the past when some foreign journalists have crossed illegally into Afghanistan and these countries approached the Pakistan Government for help. ``We do not want any untoward incident. We appeal to the media not to illegally cross the border''.

The spokesman said that if any of the foreign journalists were found violating the consulate and visa rules of the Government, their visas would be cancelled and they would be asked to leave the country.

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Section  : International
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