Siddique Sajid, editor of Pakistan's Online news agency, has been sacked after it published a fake WikiLeaks-based report that New Delhi allegedly played a role in destabilising the country's Balochistan province.
Online editor-in-chief Mohsin J. Baig had ordered an enquiry into the fake WikiLeaks story. The decision to sack Mr. Sajid was taken after it was established in the enquiry that he had “solely misused” his editorial authority in the absence of the news agency's Editor-in-Chief by “fabricating a false story on a highly sensitive subject such as the WikiLeaks disclosure”, Online said on its website.
It regretted the release of the story, its subsequent publication by media, and “the consequent erosion of its public credibility”.
The Online story had mentioned India's role in allegedly destabilising Pakistan's tribal areas and Balochistan province and attributed these statements to then U.S. ambassador to India, citing WikiLeaks. Online had claimed Saturday that “the said story was lifted from the Daily Mail newspaper published from Islamabad”. “The newspaper is believed to be close to the intelligence agencies,” Online said.
Keywords: WikiLeaks, Baloch unrest
The good news is that, the mischievous editor has been sacked and its undoubtedly an encouraging trend favourable to India's good will,that seems to be emerging in Pakistan. Let's hope for the best of looking forward to better and lasting ties between India and Pakistan, which in turn will be mutually beneficial to both countries.
Please do go through this article to see how and why there were fake wikileaks in Pakistan. The real victims of this propaganda by the intelligence agencies of pakistan are the people of this country itself.http://tribune.com.pk/story/91026/purveyors-of-fiction/
Back here in India, our charming journos are still singing the 'stringing' song and we the people are struggling why they can't understand that they committed a gross misuse of their position. If there were laws for the media, like we have for civil servants, these journos would go to jail and their properties confiscated. But alas! when it comes to media, they protect each other very well and shout on the streets about how the govt is suppressing the freedom of press. The media community has to stand up, not for their brethren but for the 'values' they purport to propagate. In this case, you can atleast learn from Pakistan.
Pakistani so called independent media is controlled by ISI/MI.They are good in making fake stories against Baloch national freedom struggle.We want to make it clear that Baloch are fighting the Paki illegal occupation in own resources.Balochistan is a reality soon or later we will regain our national freedom.
Unfortunately this sordid saga compounds the already polluted murky Paki bias and hatred for India and the feeble attempt at its amelioration won't even amount to a BAND AID. Until the political and military leadership of Pakistan have an epipheny to change and correct their misperception,paranoia of INDIA this cancer will keep growing inside Pakistani body politic till it consumes them for GOOD.
Please Email the Editor