Karachi papers shut for 'obscenity'

The authorities in the Pakistani city of Karachi have shut down six newspapers and arrested 11 people, including some editors, on charges of obscenity and breaches of the press law.

The move follows raids ordered by the home affairs department of the provincial government.

The advisor for information, Salahuddin Haidar, said the newspapers had been publishing obscene pictures and had repeatedly been warned to stop spreading nudity and obscenity.

Mr Haidar said the owners would have to submit a written undertaking that they would not print such pictures before being allowed to re-open the newspapers.

The papers which have been closed down are The Evening Special, Morning Special, Daily Special, Public Evening, Zamana and Mid Special.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service