Journalists protest camp continues: Ghulam Bilour demands release of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman

PESHAWAR: The media workers of the Jang, Geo and The News continued the protest camp on Thursday against the arrest of their Editor-in-Chief, Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman.

The senior leader of the Awami National Party (ANP) Ghulam Ahmad Bilour visited the camp. He condemned the arrest of Mir Shakil-ur- Rahman, who, he said, had been arrested for pursuing truthful journalism. He deplored that the owner of the biggest media group had been arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in a private property case which was 34-year-sold. The ANP leader said the government wanted to suppress voice of the independent press and opposition. Extending the solidarity to the media workers, he said hundreds of them had been serving in this biggest media group but the government has withheld billions of rupees of the group. He demanded the immediate release of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman and withdrawal of false cases against him.

Peshawar Press Club President Syed Bukhar Shah said Mir Shakil was being punished for writing the truth but the rulers would not be able to pressurise him and other journalists.

He demanded the immediate release of the Jang Group editor-in-chief and the release of the arrears, which has badly affected their workers. Senior Vice-President of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, Shamim Shahid, condemned the arrest of Mir Shakil and asked the government to release him forthwith. He said Mir Shakil and the media workers were being punished by the government but they would not succeed in their mission. Former President of Khyber Union of Journalists Arshad Aziz Malik in his speech lamented the arrest of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman but added that such pressure tactics by the government would not succeed.