MSR's arrest contrary to Islamic injunctions, undemocratic: CII

ISLAMABAD: Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Dr Qibla Ayaz described Jang/Geo Media Group Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman's arrest as against Shariah and undemocratic, reported The News.  

Read more: World-renowned rights activist Noam Chomsky condemns arbitrary detention of MSR

In response to a question at a convention on Tuesday, Dr Ayaz said that the NAB law was contrary to Islamic injunctions, calling on the Jang Group to challenge MSR's illegal arrest and detention by moving the Federal Shariat Court.  

"An appeal in the Shariat can be filed under Articles 227, 228 and 229 of the Constitution. The Article 227 of Constitution says all existing laws shall be brought in conformity with the Injunctions of Islam as laid down in the Holy Quran and Sunnah.”

The Council's chairman stated that the remarks of Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmad on NAB's performance were clear. He said NAB's attitude was in contradiction of the CII's recommendations and against the injunctions of Islam.

Why was MSR arrested?

On March 12, MSR was arrested over a 34-year-old property transaction by NAB as he appeared at the Bureau's Lahore office in connection with the case. Despite presenting evidence of the transaction, MSR was arrested by the accountability body in violation of court orders. The court subsequently denied him bail, extending his juridical remand.

Various international organisations, including Reporters without Borders, Committee to Protest Journalists, BBC, The New York Times, the US State Department, as well as politicians across the world, have condemned the illegal detention of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman.

Senior politicians from across the spectrum, journalists from major media outlets and other notables spoken out in in favour of the veteran journalist, who, local and international watchdogs have said, is being victimised for speaking truth to power.