Journalist fraternity condemns threatening call given to Naveed Siddiqui

ISLAMABAD: Journalist community in Islamabad has called the threats being given to Naveed Siddiqui, a well-known working journalist and Editor in chief of daily DATELINE ISLAMABAD as an open attack on freedom of press as well as to hide the corrupt practices of some influential people in different institutions. They urged the Government to take stern action against the culpable elements involved in mass corruption.
In a joint statement issued by National Press Club (NPC) Islamabad after a meeting of the journalist fraternity held under the NPC President Anwar Raza, the act was largely condemned and government was asked to ensure security and safety of Naveed Siddiqui and to take stern action against people involved in mass corruption in different institutions. “Naveed Siddiqui has heighted massive scale corruption in Capital Development Authority (CDA) and an official involved in it has send threatening calls to journalist”, Nawaz Raza said, adding that it is such elements must be taken to task.
Journalist community stated that the application given to Aabpara Police Station must be entertained and action should be taken against the person involved in criminal acts. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad was appealed to direct the concerned police station to entertain the application of journalist, they added.
It is pertinent to note that Naveed Siddiqui was threatened for publishing a story regarding the corrupt practices of Arum Joshwadas, a grade 18 official who is on deputation in Education Ministry.
Naveed Sidiqui in his application mentioned that he was being Editor in Chief of DATELINE ISLAMABAD, was working on an investigative story on corruption of billions rupees regarding the corruption in a project in CDA and Education Ministry. During the investigation he published a story of the corrupt practices of Arun Joshwadas. He said that Arum is on deputation in Education Ministry for the last two years and is drawing salary from the CDA.
Siddiqui also mentioned in the application that he as investigative reporter is working on stories regarding the corruption in different departments. But it was strange that he has received a call from a private number (44033186577) and the caller introduced himself as (N) and threatened him of dire consequences if not stopped investigation.