Hunger strike for Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman’s release continues for 7th day

LAHORE: A veteran journalist Azhar Munir continued his hunger strike on seventh day for the release of Jang/Geo Group Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman at the Lahore Press Club, saying he neither started his protest on anyone’s wish nor he would end it.

Azhar Munir said he would continue his hunger strike until Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman is released. Meanwhile, senior journalist Suhail Waraich and Bureau Chief Geo News Raees Ansari representing the Geo News Chief Executive Mir Ibrahim Rahman, expressed solidarity with Azhar Munir and requested him to end hunger strike.

Suhail Waraich told him that Jang, Geo and journalists fraternity paid due respect to his commitment for the Freedom of Press. He also told him that they came to show solidarity from Jang and Geo, adding that his protest was registered and requested him to end his hunger strike eying on the current situation of coronavirus.

Azhar Munir said neither he started his hunger strike on the recommendation of others nor he would end it, adding that he reviewed Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman’s case and found that fake. He said the NAB has draconian law, adding that Jang/Geo Group Editor in Chief was illegally arrested at verification stage. He said he was abused on social media for staging hunger strike. He said he would end it only when Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman will be released.