Ex-minister decries arrest of Jang/Geo editor-in-chief

LAHORE: Former federal minister Pervaiz Saleh has said that undue arrest of Jang/Geo Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman has not only evoked anger and condemnation in Pakistan, but also throughout the world.

In a press release, the former minister said the condemnation is not confined to the journalistic community, rather all sections of society including lawyers, civil society and internationally credible institutions like Amnesty International have denounced the arrest.

He said arresting the head of the country's biggest media group in an allegation that dates back 34 years and that too without any FIR registered against him is unjustified and against all norms of justice.

It is being viewed as a blatant attack on the freedom of expression and a warning to the entire media to toe the government’s line, Mr Saleh said, demanding immediate release of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman.