Waziristan Journalists Wrongly Placed on Terror Watchlist, Authorities Acknowledge Error
Three journalists from South Waziristan—Farooq Mehsud of Aaj TV and President of the Mehsud Press Club, Ishtiaq Mehsud of Mashaal Radio and former president of the club, and Aslam Mehsud of daily Ummat —were mistakenly added to Pakistan’s Fourth Schedule under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), a list meant for individuals suspected of terrorism or anti-state activities. The listing restricted their movement and placed them under increased surveillance.
The journalists were added to the Fourth Schedule during a District Intelligence Coordination Committee (DICC) meeting on October 7, chaired by the Deputy Commissioner of South Waziristan (Upper). The meeting included representatives from civil, military, and intelligence agencies. Under Section 11 of the ATA 1997, the journalists were listed, triggering an outcry from media organizations and press freedom advocates.
The Deputy Commissioner of Waziristan admitted that the journalists’ names were “erroneously” included. He confirmed that the Home Department had been informed.
Speaking to the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), Farooq Mehsud expressed relief that the mistake was being corrected but remained cautious as they waited for formal action from the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) and the Home Department. The journalists highlighted how their inclusion on the list severely impacted their ability to perform their duties in an already difficult region.
The Pashtun Journalists Association (PJA) strongly condemned the wrongful listing of the journalists. “The PJA demands an immediate end to actions targeting media professionals, and the names of the Mehsud Press Club journalists must be removed from the Fourth Schedule without delay,” the association declared in its statement.
Source: Pakistan Press Foundation