Distribution of Pakistan's Dawn newspaper blocked after publishing Sharif’s 26/11 Mumbai Attacks confession

Islamabad: Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif had accepted in an interview with a Pakistani daily, Dawn that the country was responsible for the attacks in Mumbai on 26/11. Following this the distribution of this daily has been blocked in various parts of Pakistan. There are accusations that this ban is at the behest of the Pakistani Army. Previously, it had been reported that the transmission of the news channel Geo TV, which broadcasted criticism about the Pakistani military policies had been blocked and forced off air in 80% of the country.

Suppression of the media that publishes news or presents programs against the Pakistani military policies is not unheard of in the country. The Nawaz Sharif interview, admitting to Pakistan’s hand in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, has created a major stir in the state. Sharif mentioned that there were terrorists operating in Pakistan. He indirectly criticised the Pakistani army when he said it was impossible to run a government when there was a parallel government operating in Pakistan.

Demands like “Sharif should be hanged” and “Sharif should be tried for treason” are gaining momentum in Pakistan. There is an undeclared boycott on the leading daily Dawn, where the interview had been published. The distribution of the newspaper has been stopped in Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan and the military departments.

There are no official orders from the government to stop the distribution. But it is clear that the military is behind it. Blocking distribution of the newspaper in this manner is being criticised by some analysts and organisations in Pakistan.