MSR’s continued illegal detention decried

The continued illegal detention of Jang/Geo Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman drew condemnation from politicians and journalist fraternity across the country on Friday.

A day earlier, the Lahore High Court had denied bail to MSR in relation to a NAB inquiry into a 34 years old property case.

Former prime minister and PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to take notice of clampdown on media in the country.

Hussain urged the prime minister to resolve the issues of MSR arrest and shutdown of channel 24 News through consultation.

“An attempt should be made to resolve the crisis in our country by letting go of everything,” he said.

To end the witch-hunt of media, the PML-Q leader said that Senator Shibli Faraz, who is the current federal minister for information, should play his role.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-i-Islami Emir Siraj-ul-Haq called that the arrest of Jang and Geo editor-in-chief “baseless”.

“This government cannot face the media,” said the JI chief, adding that the National Accountability Bureau’s performance is disappointing and it should also be held accountable.

Protests held against MSR arrest

Protests were held in Peshawar earlier today against the arrest and continued unlawful detention of the veteran journalist.

The demonstrators demanded that the media mogul should be released soon.

In the protests held in Punjab’s Bahawalpur, JI Vice President South Punjab chapter, Syed Zeeshan Akhtar, was also present.

The protesters also included Chairman Kisan board Jam Hazoor Bakhsh and members of a local cultivators group.

In Balochistan’s capital city Quetta, protesters gathered to condemn the arrest of MSR. The protesters said that the demonstrations will continue till Mir Shakil—ur-Rahman is released.

The workers of Jang and Geo News also participated, demanding the immediate release of MSR.

NAB had on March 12 arrested MSR in connection with property bought more than three decades ago. His arrest has been slammed both locally and internationally as the latest attempt by a heavy-handed regime to suppress dissent.