Amnesty accuses ISI of killing journos

Amnesty International says it has "credible concerns" that Pakistan's powerful military spy agency kidnaps, threatens and even kills journalists who cross it.
The allegations come amid an unprecedented public standoff between the Directorate of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the country's biggest media group over an attempt by unknown gunmen to kill Hamid Mir, a popular journalist on the Geo television network.
In a detailed report, Amnesty  says journalists face extraordinary challenges in Pakistan, including deadly threats from militant groups and the armed wings of political parties. But Amnesty says it found that "no state actor is more feared by journalists than the ISI".
Dozens of journalists complained to the rights group of "harassment, intimidation or attacks" they claimed they had experienced at the hands of the spy agency. Many gave information about harassment on the understanding it would be made public only if they were killed or kidnapped, such is the prevailing fear of reprisals from an agency believed to be among the most powerful organisations in the land.
The ISI has been accused of using threats to scare the media off sensitive topics, but the detailed report from a big human rights organisation will add fuel to the vicious war of words raging between Pakistan's media companies.
Geo's allegations have outraged the army, which demanded that the media regulator withdraw the channel's licence to operate.