Civil society demands release of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman

SUKKUR: A large section of Sukkur's civil society comprising members of the PFUJ, (Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists), political workers, social activists, religious parties’ activists staged demonstrations against the continued detention of Jang-Geo Group Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman and demanded his immediate release.

The protesters raised slogans against the NAB and PTI-led federal government, demanding the release of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman. Addressing the protest rally, senior vice president PFUJ Lala Asad Pathan, President Sukkur Press Club Nasrullah Wasser, General Secretary Yasir Farooqui, Maulana Mehboob Sahitto, Hizbullah Jakro, Khurshid Mirani termed MSR's arrest as illegal, unjust and totally politically motivated to suppress the voice of free media.

They said his detention was damaging the country’s image abroad. The government could not tolerate criticism and the Jang Group's portrayal of the ground realities. They said Mir Shakil’s detention is an attempt to gag the independent media. The protesters said while the coronavirus threat is damaging the country’s economy, the government instead of tackling the pandemic is trying to muzzle the media.