Follow-up to PAK33294.E of 17 December 1999 on the monthly newspaper called News Force, published in Khanewal, Punjab [PAK33568.E]

In correspondence dated 29 December 1999 and written on "News Force Publications" letterhead, the Chief Editor of The News Force, Saleem Shehzad Syed, stated that in 1995 he founded The News Force, an Urdu-language four-page newspaper that is circulated generally throughout the District of Khanewal, particularly in Tehsil Mian Channu which has a population of more than 5 million. The Chief Editor stated that The News Force is an "established publication" that is in good financial standing, but indicated that "due to business secrets the whole details of funds cannot be provided." With regard to the newspaper's political position, the Chief Editor stated that "my publication has no ... political relationship [with] either political party but has good commitment for the interest of the protection [of] basic rights and social justice of the people and coverage [of] all the criticism of the communities positively."

The letterhead provides the phone number of The News Force as (011-92-0448) 5557 or 5899, its fax number is (011-92-0448) 4535, and it postal address as:

Mian Channu, P.C. 58000
District Khanewal
Pakistan.

The Chief Editor also included copies of a 6 July 1994 document from the Director General, Public Relations, Press Laws Branch in Lahore to the District Magistrate of Khanewal entitled "Authentication of Declaration in Respect of News Force from Khanewal" and a 2 April 1994 "Declaration Under Section 7 of Registration of Printing Press & Publication Ordinance-1963" that was filled by Muhammad Saleem Shahzad and authenticated by the District Magistrate of Khanewal on 15 October 1995.

This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Reference


The News Force, Khanewal. 29 December 1999. Correspondence from Chief Editor.