FINALLY the cat is out of the bag about the confusion regarding who asked Pemra to impose the media ban on the activities of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) and its affiliated outfits Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) and Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF). It was amazing to see how promptly the interior ministry distanced itself from such a ban.

Apparently it was the information ministry which issued these orders while citing UN Resolution 1267 and the prime minister`s commitment to the US president during his recent Washington visit.

Let us wait and see how long it takes the information ministry to backtrack. But what`s the point in permitting these outfits to operate at free will while suspending the media coverage? Yes, there is a point, the media coveragemay prompt the outside world to raise questions on Pakistan`s commitment. But if someone thinks that by merely banning the media coverage the people can be fooled; sadly he is mistaken. The JuD and FIF have been given a free hand to operate in quake-hit areas.

Media coverage or not, they are penetrating wherever possible to gain sympathisers to their cause. But most amazing was the JuD spokesman`s response that UN Resolution 1267 imposes restrictions on four of its leaders travel ban, personal accounts sealed, no access to weapons; there was no ban on free speech or media coverage.

Is it the Security Council`s duty to tell Pakistan not to give a VIP treatment to these leaders and media coverage under the disguise of free speech? MasoodKhan Juball, Saudi Arabia