It is unfortunate that in the run up to elections 2018, attempts are being made to intimidate the print and electronic media by way of physical intimidation, abduction and torture of dissenting journalists and blocking of news channels.” This was stated by Pakistan People’s Party leader and Senator Raza Rabbani in a statement issued on Wednesday. He said the harassment of working journalists, newspaper editors and columnists from expressing dissent in columns in their newspapers is highly condemnable. “This is limited not only to the working journalists but also newspaper distributors and cable operators also face intimidation,” he said. He said the slide carrying photographs of prominent journalists/columnists during a press conference of the Inter Services Public Relations are also highly regrettable. “The Amnesty International and the International Press Institute in their reports/letters have also referred to the same,” he added. Published in Daily Times, June 21st 2018.