PPP leaders seek release of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman

PESHAWAR: The Jang Group workers continued protest on the 14th consecutive against the illegal detention of their Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman on Saturday.

Carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans in favour of their demands, they chanted slogans against the government for arresting Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman in a private property case that was decided some 34 years ago.

A Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) delegation led by provincial President Humayun Khan and including Zulfiqar Afghani, Gohar Inqilabi, Iftikhar, Zulfiqar Awan and others visited the protest camp to express solidarity with workers of the Jang Group.

Speaking on the occasion, Humayun Khan condemned the arrest of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman and demanded his immediate release. Extending solidarity with the media and Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman’s family, he said the Pakistan People’s Party leadership would support them at every forum.

His said it amounted to an attack on the media to suppress voice of the independent press. Terming media the fourth pillar of the state, Humayun Khan said that the irresponsible rulers were bent upon ruining all the institutions.

The Pakistan People’s Party leader observed that instead of arresting Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, the authorities should hold investigations into the mega corruption scandals like the Billion Tree Tsunami and Bus Rapid Transit projects and take action against those behind the sugar and flour crises in the country.

He said the rulers were targeting opposition leaders and media to suppress independent voices and divert attention of the people from the corruption of the ruling party.

Criticising the double standards of the rulers, he said the PTI government had announced to provide relief by initiating the Ehsaas Programme, but it released the withheld funds of the Benazir Income Support Programme to hoodwink the poor.

He said the PTI rulers were criticising the chief minister Sindh for his quick action to contain the spread of the coronavirus. President of Peshawar Press Club Syed Bukhar Shah thanked the politicians and members of civil society for supporting their cause.

He added that they would continue to stage protest till the acceptance of their demands.

He said the organisations of journalists and media workers from all over the country were protesting against the arrest of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman.

He asked the chief justice of Pakistan to take notice of the arrest of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman and order his release and withdrawal of cases against him.