Countrywide protests continue for Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman’s release

ISLAMABAD: A countrywide protest day against the illegal arrest of Editor-in-Chief of Geo and Jang Group, Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman (MSR), has been observed across the country in which politicians, lawyers, journalists, doctors, paramedics, traders and labourers participated joined to express solidarity with the workers of Jang-Geo group.

The nationwide protests were observed on Thursday at the call of the Joint Action Committee of workers of the group. Addressing the protest outside the Geo offices in Islamabad, ex-federal minister and PML-N Islamabad President Dr Tariq Fazal said MSR’s arrest was reflective of the government’s victimisation policy and to suppress independent media. He said the NAB chairman violated the accountability law that banned the arrest of anyone at the complaint verification stage and it is an example of misuse of the power. “The PML-N will continue to support the journalists’ struggle for Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman’s release and for the freedom of media,” he said. PML-N Women’s Wing president Senator Nuzhat Amir said the MSR is synonymous with the country’s journalism and the world respects him for his independent editorial policies. Renowned anchorperson Hamid Mir said despite the coronavirus pandemic, journalists have given a clear message to the world that wherever there is injustice, political workers and journalists will protest it. “Without a free press, no institution can flourish in the country,” he said, adding that those who arrested MSR have negated the Quaid-e-Azam’s ideology for the freedom of press.

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists Secretary General Nasir Zaidi said all the global media organisations are declaring the Editor-in-Chief’s arrest as an attack on the freedom of media. PFUJ ex-president Afzal Butt said Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman was asked to terminate specific journalists from the group but he refused to bow.

Wapda Hydroelectric Union Chairman Javed Baloch said the NAB has not even begun investigating those who illegally used the state helicopter. He said if MSR is not released immediately, more than 15,000 workers will join the workers of the Jang-Geo Group in their just cause. CDA Union Secretary General Chaudhry Yasin said muting the media only means restricting democracy as free media ensures democracy. National Press Club ex-president Shakil Anjum said the present government is two-faced as they claim that they believe in democracy but in reality they follow dictatorial policies.

Young Doctors Association President Dr Asfandyar said the media always stood with the doctors and in this difficult time, “we also express solidarity with the media”. Joint Action Committee Chairman and Jang Workers Union President Nasir Chishti said the protest will continue till MSR’s release.

In Karachi, lawyers joined in the protests, calling on the National Accountability Bureau to withdraw the arrest orders and release MSR respectfully. They said any curbs on media will not be tolerated.

In Lahore, the PFUJ, the Punjab Union of Journalists, members of the Lahore Press Club, representatives of civil society, bar associations, PML-N and Jamaat-e-Islami joined hands with the employees of the Jang-Geo Group against MSR’s arrest.

Simultaneous Protests continued in Peshawar, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Multan, Sialkot, Bahawalpur, Gujranwala, and Kasur. Demonstrations were also held in Ghotki, Obaru, Rajanpur, Badin and Chaman.