Shahbaz Sharif, Chaudhry Shujaat say Jang-Geo editor-in-chief should be released

LAHORE: PML-N President and Opposition Leader in National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif and PML-Q President and former prime minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain have demanded release of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman.

In a message on Monday, Shahbaz prayed that God gift health to Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman’s elder son Mir Javed Rahman. He said Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman should be released on humanitarian grounds in view of his elder brother’s serious illness after a heart attack. He said he expresses solidarity with the family of Mir-e-Sahafat Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman in this hour of need. He also prayed for early recovery of Mir Javed Rahman.

Separately, Pakistan Muslim League-Q President and former Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has emphatically said that Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman should be released keeping in view the people and national services of Jang Group if not of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman.

In a statement, he said in Tuesday's meeting of the federal cabinet, allegations levelled against Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman and his institution's services to Pakistan should be weighed. Shujaat said that the cabinet will find that the services of the media group for Pakistan are far greater than the allegations against it.

Shujaat Hussain said that in view of his services, he should be released on bail. He said on this occasion when on one hand Jang, The News and Geo are creating awareness among the people about prevailing grave situation and providing them news; on the other hand, Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman's physical remand is contrary to humanity. Shujaat Hussain further said that despite Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman's arrest, Jang Group's Daily Jang, The News and Geo are providing news with their fullest responsibility to the whole world which is a proof of his and his father Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman's loyalty towards the country.