Daily Telegraph journalists expelled from Pakistan

Three reporters from The Daily Telegraph newspaper have been ordered to leave Pakistan in the next 72 hours for using abusive and foul language against the country and its leadership, an official said today.

Deputy Information Minister Tariq Azim said the three – Isambard Wilkinson, Colin Freeman and Damien McElroy – were ordered out of Pakistan for a story on Friday, which authorities found offensive.

Wilkinson said he could not comment.

The three were the first reporters ordered out of Pakistan since President General Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule a week ago.

Musharraf cited a growing threat from Islamic militants and political instability for his emergency order. He has since put a stranglehold on the media, taking most domestic and international news channels off the air, including CNN and the BBC.

He has also threatened journalists who criticise his government or the army with up to three years in jail.

The three expelled today were the first foreign reporters to be targeted under the emergency.