LAHORE: The PML-N President and Leader of the Opposition in
National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday condemned the arrest and continued
detention of Editor-in-Chief of Jang/Geo Group Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman and said
his arrest in a baseless case has made fun of Pakistan in the whole world.In
his message on World Press Freedom Day, Shahbaz Sharif reiterated the demand of
releasing Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman. He paid rich tribute to all media workers,
cameramen, anchors working journalists and writers who are sign of truth.
Shahbaz said democracy is incomplete without media. He said
that the journalism is considered as fourth pillar of the state. Shahbaz Sharif
said that freedom of expression is the basic constitutional right and
confiscating this right is tantamount to committing treason. He said that the
media is the mirror of the society which provides opportunity to bring
improvement after seeing reflection in it. Shahbaz said that the media is your
friend which speaks truth in front of you and points out your mistakes and
shortcomings. He said that the rulers who tried to break the mirror of media have
always repented. The PML-N leader said that journalists have written an
excellent history for the right of freedom of expression in Pakistan. He said
that the journalists rendered their lives bear lashes and faced jails to lit
the candle of freedom of expression.
He said that Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman is in jail today while
becoming the prisoner of conscience for the freedom of expression. He said that
journalists played historic role in Pakistan Movement, adding that media and
journalists have played full role in establishment of Pakistan.
Shahbaz Sharif paid tribute to Maulana Zafar Ali Khan,
Hameed Nizami, Syed Salahuddin, Majeed Nizami, Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman, Agha
Shorish Kashmiri, Professor Waris Mir and Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman who always stood
against the dictatorial thinking while following the principal of truth.
Shahbaz said the PML-N will always continue to support the
constitutional right of freedom of expression. He said this arrest has faded
the whole image of freedom of expression of Pakistan. He said that that until
and unless media will be independent, democracy could not be strengthened in
the country. He said that when the fourth pillar of the state will be in the
handcuffs of censorship then transparency could not come in the society. —
Sabah
Our correspondent adds: The ANP provincial president Aimal
Wali Khan on Sunday said that freedom of the press was vital to the supremacy
of democracy. Aimal Wali Khan said that media must be allowed to function
without any constraints and with complete independence. However, he said that
media should also work with responsibility and should avoid prejudice. He said
that media should also prove that it would stand with the rule of law and stand
with the people of the country in times of need.
He said that political parties, civil society and media
organizations must unite to work for the freedom of press.
Newspaper: The
News
