Restrictions on media, civil society undermine Pakistan’s image, says Blinken

Washington-US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that restrictions on media outlets and civil society undermine Pakistan’s image as well as its capability to progress.

He was addressing a news conference organised by the Washington Foreign Press Centre then on Tuesday.”We’re apprehensive of significant restrictions on media outlets and civil society, more astronomically in Pakistan,”he said.
Responding to a question, Blinken said,” Then again a vibrant free press, an informed populace are crucial for any nation and its future, including Pakistan. I suppose these practices that we see undermine freedom of expression, they undermine peaceful assembly. They undermine Pakistan’s image as well as its capability to progress.”
The Secretary of State underscored that the US takes up this issue with Pakistan at regular intervals.”It’s commodity that comes up both in our direct engagements and in the work that we are doing every day,”he added