BREAKING: Cyril Almeida's name removed from ECL

ISLAMABAD - Reiterating unswerving commitment to freedom of press and independence of media and as a good-will gesture, the Interior Minister today (Friday) ordered removal of the name of journalist Cyril Almaida from Exit Control List (ECL).

Removal of name of the journalist would in no way affect the ongoing inquiry into the matter and the inquiry would continue to affix responsibility for the said news item.

The decision was taken after a delegation of APNS and CPNE jointly called on Interior Minister in federal capital.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rasheed and Principal Information Officer Rao Tehsin Ali Khan were also present during the meeting.

Talking to the delegation the interior minister reiterated his call that independent media must play its role not only towards safeguarding national interests but also to counter negative propaganda of the enemies of state.

Unverified and speculative news items citing sources on national security issues must be refrained that crosses ethical boundaries of responsible journalism.

The interior minister assured the representatives of APNS and CPNE for removing Cyril Almeida from ECL after they insisted on it.

The Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) and All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) delegation consisted of Sarmad Ali, President APNS, Zia Shahid, President CPNE, Umar Shami, Secretary General APNS, Aijaz Ul Haq, Secretary General CPNE and Senior journalists Arif Nizami and Mujeeb ur Rahman Shami.