French Journalists Arrested for Faking Evidence of Taliban in Pakistan
Pakistan News Service, News Report, Staff, Posted: Dec 23, 2003
An attempt to intentionally distort and malign Pakistan's image in the course of post Sept. 11 fall out has been thwarted by the authorities. Two French journalists who created a bogus documentary and fake interviews were arrested. The bogus documentary film and photos have been confiscated. This action is a clear vindication of Pakistan's stance that it is not involved in any terrorism.
Along with two French journalists, local Pakistani journalists who helped stage this mock drama, and along with all those actors who played the characters of Taliban and terrorists have been arrested. According to those arrested, they were offered U.S. $50 for speaking and already provided transcript in front of the camera. The locals were asked to wear Taliban's black head covering, show assembling of weapons, rocket launchers, demonstrate martial arts and claim they were launching attacks in Afghanistan from Pakistani soil.
According to reports the French journalists were assisted by a self-proclaimed local journalist, Khawar M.Rizvi, and a Rawalpindi, Pakistan-based religious cleric Abdullah Shakir.
Although Pakistan's role in global campaign against terrorism is being appreciated internationally, there are yet some elements who are busy in maligning Pakistan through bogus means to fulfill their nefarious designs.
It was under such intention that two French journalists went to the border area of Balochistan and with the so-called local journalist, lured some local men to act as Taliban for the film. In this way they fabricated a video film showing guerrilla activities of Taliban doing training for heavy weapons.
The objective of staging this drama was to show the world that Taliban are still present in border areas of Pakistan from where they launch anti-Afghan government attacks.
Reportedly the French journalists were going to Karachi after completing their task when they were nabbed. Bogus films and photographs were recovered from their possession.
A Karachi judge has ordered both journalists to be held without bail due to their visa violations while the investigation continues.
In the recent times, some Western media news stories has been filled with similar articles, photos and films, showing Pakistan in negative light despite Pakistan's role as the front line state in the war against terrorism.
Pakistan had always questioned the legitimacy of claims.
NCM Coverage: South Asian Media
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User Comments
J. Hulme on Dec 29, 2003 at 17:47:37 said:
The Journlists were arrested for visa infractions: they weren't authorized to visit Quetta (I wonder why). they were fined 1 420 Euros and released. I suppose their material was confiscated by the Pakistani Police State.
Malik on Dec 23, 2003 at 05:24:46 said:
Pakistan has never been given due credit for its strugle against global terrorism.
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