Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman’s arrest illegal, attack on media freedom: GB CM Hafeez-ur-Rahman

ISLAMABAD: Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rahman Sunday condemned perpetuation in illegal detention of Jang/Geo Group Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman under a false pretext in strongest words and asked the authorities concerned to release him immediately since his arrest was an assault on the freedom of media and democracy.

Talking to The News/Jang from Gilgit Tuesday evening, he said Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman was the flag holder of freedom of media who had served democracy and dedicated his skills for the human rights of fellow people and fought for the rights of oppressed people like none other.

Terming Mir Shakil a symbol of media liberties and national interests, Hafiz Hafeez said the Jang Group’s publications and Geo TV had throughout safeguarded the national goods at the face of international odds and against the intrigues hatched by the enemies of the country within or across the border.

“This Group always held the esteem of the nation and country in difficult times at high altitude and for the reason it regarded voice of Pakistan. The Group stayed in the forefront for fighting the national causes and especially struggle of the people of Kashmir to rid the yoke of Indian occupation,” he said.

He made it clear that the people of Pakistan will never allow the conspiracies to harm the Jang Group and Geo. “It appears that some people sitting in the government want to damage the Group, but their nefarious designs wouldn’t succeed,” he said.

The chief minister recalled that Jang Group and Geo were institutions which developed after a long struggle and countless sacrifices of its founders and workers. “They are a source of pride for the nation and the people who believe in values and democracy. Such people wouldn’t permit the government to harm it.”

Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rahman said the case in which Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman had been entangled was a frivolous that hardly constituted a dispute even fit for any judicial adjudication. He demanded that at the face of coronavirus and approaching holy month of Ramazan, Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman should be released as he hasn’t committed any offence.