$Stock*Shop*Charts*News*Option$

[Stock Lobster]

AP: British reporters expelled from Pakistan

Nov 10, 2007 11:31 AM
The Associated Press

PAKISTAN, Islamabad – Three reporters from Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper have been ordered to leave Pakistan in the next 72 hours for using abusive and foul language against the country and its leadership, an official said today.

The three – Isambard Wilkinson, Collin Freeman and Daniel Macelroy – were the first reporters ordered out of Pakistan since President Gen. Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule a week ago.

Deputy Information Minister Tariq Azim said they were being thrown out for a story that authorities found offensive. He did not specify which story prompted the move.

Wilkinson said he could not comment and referred phone calls to the newspaper's London headquarters. There, a spokeswoman said she could not confirm the report.

Musharraf cited a growing threat from Islamic militants and political instability for his emergency order. He has since put a stranglehold on the media, taking most domestic and international news channels off the air, including CNN and BBC.

He has also threatened journalists who criticize his government or the army with up to three years in jail.

The three expelled today were the first foreign reporters to be targeted under the emergency.

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/275364