Blinken cites Pak's curbs on freedom of expression as impediment to progress

Washington: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that curbs on freedom of expression undermine Pakistan's image and its ability to progress, Geo News reported.

Blinken's remarks came during a press briefing on world 'Press Freedom Day' at the US State Department,. He said the US government was aware of the restrictions imposed on media entities and civil society in Pakistan and did take up this issue with his Pakistani counterpart.

Blinken was responding to a question by a Pakistani journalist over Pakistan being among those countries in the world still considered the most dangerous place for journalists.

"Has the State Department ever taken up this issue in bilateral talks with the Pakistani authorities?" the journalist asked

"The short answer is yes, we take this up in our engagements with Pakistani counterparts. Of course, this is also a feature of the annual Human Rights Reports that we put out, and, of course, we're aware of significant restrictions on media outlets and civil society more broadly in Pakistan," Blinken said according to the report by IANS.

Blinken's remarks came after a report released by a global media watchdog, Reporters Without Borders, showed that Pakistan slid from 145th position last year to 157th this year on the World Press Freedom Index.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also stressed the importance of free media and termed it the future of any nation, saying, "A vibrant free press, an informed citizenry is key for any nation and its future, including Pakistan."

"...and I think these practices that we see undermine freedom of expression," he added.

The US Secretary of state further said, "They undermine peaceful assembly. They undermine Pakistan's image as well as its ability to progress. So it is something that comes up both in our direct engagements and in the work that we're doing every day," Geo News reported.