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Pak government groping for proof against Najam Sethi

The government appears to be locked in a difficult situation over the Najam Sethi case, as its intelligence agencies have failed to produce any evidence that may even remotely establish his links with the Indian secret service, RAW.

Najam Sethi, editor of Friday Times, was arrested last week from his home for making certain objectionable remarks about Pakistan in a seminar held recently in New Delhi.

According to a special intelligence unit report, confusion and anxiety in top government circles over the Najam sethi case is growing rapidly as the general headquarters has Independently determined that there is no reason to constitute a field general court martial to try the detained journalist under the Army Act.

Also, the report added that the army did not appear ready to lock horns with the press.

Yesterday, journalists and prominent citizens, including members of the senate participated in various seminars held in the country, condemning the arrests of journalists, and demanding press freedom.

Meanwhile, an Islamabad court yesterday extended the remand of prominent journalist and former information secretary Hussain Haqqani for a day.

He was arrested by the police on May 4 when he was about to leave for Dubai to meet former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. His name was also put on the exit control list.

Haqqani is facing two charges -- that he embezzled Rs 6 million during his tenure as chairman of the house building finance corporation during Bhutto's regime, and that he misappropriated advertisement funds to the tune of 4,41,000 dollars when he was information secretary.

UNI

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