Prominent Pakistani journalist Cyril Almeida was barred from leaving the country after reporting on government-military tensions over support for militant groups, sparking controversy.The story highlighted a heated exchange between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the army’s spy chief, Rizwan Akhtar, regarding actions against militant groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and the Haqqani network. These groups have been accused by India and the US of receiving support from Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI. The timing of Almeida’s report, which came after a recent militant attack in Kashmir that India attributed to jihadists, added fuel to the fire.Despite denials from the government, Dawn stood by its story, quoting unnamed officials who witnessed the confrontation between Sharif and Akhtar. The newspaper’s editor, Zaffar Abbas, defended the article as accurate and verified, urging authorities not to target the messenger but address the issues raised. In response, Sharif’s office promised “stern action” against those responsible for the alleged misinformation in the news story.Almeida, who was scheduled to travel to Dubai for a holiday, was informed last minute that he could not board his flight. “I am on the list — I have seen it and I have been told not to go to the airport,” he revealed. The incident has sparked a debate on press freedom and the delicate balance between journalism and national security concerns in Pakistan.
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