ISLAMABAD: The
continuing countrywide protests by workers of the Geo-Jang Group along with
journalist organizations, civil society and political workers for the release
of Editor-in-Chief of Geo-Jang Group Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman under arrest by the
NAB for the last two months without a reference or a case, continued on Monday.
The protesting journalists dubbed Rahman’s incarceration as part of the current
government’s campaign to gag the freedom of expression and independent media’s
dissenting voice and its right to question the government’s viewpoint as the
only shade of truth. Rahman is facing incarceration for refusing to subdue his
group’s editorial policy to that demanded by the government.

At the protesters’
camps, the workers of Geo-Jang Group also raised slogans for the release of
Editor-in-Chief of Geo and Jang Group Shakil-ur-Rahman and condemned the curbs
on the freedom of media and independence of expression. They pledged to resist
the government’s plot against the free press and to continue with their protest
movement till his release. Addressing the protest outside the offices of Jang
and The News at the Murree Road in Rawalpindi, speakers called for release of
Editor-in-Chief of Geo and Jang Group Shakil-ur-Rahman and termed the NAB laws
as black, enacted to strong arm those who stand up and oppose the government.
They also pledged to continue their protest till Rahman is released
unconditionally. Secretary General Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ)
Nasir Zaidi said the struggle of the journalists and workers of the Geo and
Jang Group will succeed and Editor-in-Chief will be released soon.

Editor Jang
Rawalpindi Hanif Khalid appealed to the Chief Justice Supreme Court to take
notice of long unlawful arrest of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman. Chief Reporter Jang
Rawalpindi Rana Ghulam Qadir said the “Editor-in-Chief of Geo and Jang Group
will never bow down before the illegal demands of the government,” he said,

Secretary General
RIUJ and senior correspondent of the Geo News Asif Ali Bhatti, media workers
Amjad Abbassi, Munir Shah, Nusrat Malik and others demanded honourable release
of Editor-in-Chief of Geo and Jang Group and pledged not to give up their
protests till his release.

In Karachi, the
Jang-Geo protesters were joined at their camp by a large cross-section of
political workers, trade unionists, media and journalist organisation to
express solidarity. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader and Rajput Council
of Pakistan President Rana Muhammad Ehsan said that Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman was
fighting for the right to information and is the standard bearer of truth in
the whole country and we like the rest of the country are thankful to him for
his services to the independent media. Condemning the malicious campaign against
the Jang-Geo Group, Ehsan said that Prime Minister Imran should be indebted to
the coronavirus as it brought an extension to his government whose days were
already numbered. He said that his party stands with the journalists and
support free press because they are necessary for a democratic society.

PML-N leader Rana
Tariq said that the arrest of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman spoke of the government’s
incompetency and its inclination to flout the law and Constitution to achieve
its nefarious designs. He said that the government campaign to pressure
Jang-Geo Group have backfired. He demanded immediate release of Mir
Shakil-ur-Rahman and referred to the global concerns over his attack, which has
been symbolised as an attack on the media freedom in Pakistan.

The Chairman Karachi
Hockey Association ( KHA) and National Bank Officers Association Gulfaraz Khan
said that independent media was a reflection of a democratic society and strong
and independent institutions. But on the contrary, he said the independent
media is on the receiving end ever since this government was formed. KHA’s
senior vice-president Dr Majid said that Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman was a staunch
advocate of truth and right and he should be released and allow him to contest
the allegations against him.

KHA Secretary Haider
Hussain said that the arrest of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman was an attack on the
independent media. He demanded the chief justice of Pakistan to take suo-moto
action over it and ensure a free and fair conclusion of this case. Others who
spoke to the demonstration included All Pakistan Newspapers Employees
Confederation’s Secretary General Shakil Yamin Kanga, Javed Press Union’s
general secretary Rana Yusuf and The News Employees Union’s general secretary
Dara Zafar.

In Lahore, the
Jang-Geo workers and representatives of the civil society and political
entities protesting against the illegal arrest of Jang/Geo Editor-in-Chief
demanded the Supreme Court of Pakistan to take suo motu notice of this illegal
arrest. The speakers condemned the government for continuing intimidation of
independent media houses by choking their revenue streams and dictating their
editorial policies. They said Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman is paying the price for
refusing to fire news anchors and reporters as being dictated by the PTI government
and resisting financial pressures to toe the dotted line. The speakers demanded
immediate release of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman and pledged to continue their
struggle for his unconditional release and for the freedom and independence of
expression and thought. The speakers included Editor Jang Group Shaheen
Qureshi, Spokesman PPP Lahore Waheed Alamgir, Abdullah Malik, Chief Reporter
Jang Lahore Maqsood Butt, Khizar Hayat Gondal, Zaheer Anjum, Sher Ali and Asif
Mahmood Butt.

In Multan, the
Punjab Chemist Association joined the two-month-long campaign against the
unlawful arrest of Jang/Geo Group Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman by the
workers of the dailies The News, Jang and Geo News and demanded his immediate
release. A large number of traders from the Multan Medicine Market expressed
solidarity with the protesting journalists.

Addressing the media
workers, divisional president, the Punjab Chemist Association, Akhtar Butt
strongly criticised the government’s coercive practices against the Jang Group.
He said that it was surprising that Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman was held in an
undisputed 34-year old business transaction but it does prove the
NAB-government axis against free media, opposition and those rivaling the PTI
top leadership.

Butt said that the
government was trying to curb the free press in the country, which was not a
good omen for democracy. He also criticised the suspension of Jang Group
advertisements and payment of its arrears running into billions to force it to
humble before the government.

Traders’
representative Faisal Rahman said that the free press could help the government
rescue the public from problems.

In Peshawar, the
workers of the Jang-Geo Group continued their 60th day of protest with speeches
and by displaying banners and raising slogans for an early and unconditional
release of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman and withdrawal of fabricated cases against him.

The Jamiat Ahle
Hadith leader, Dr Zakir Shah, visited the camp to express solidarity with the
protesting workers of the Jang Group. He condemned the arrest of Mir
Shakil-ur-Rahman, saying he was arrested without a reference or a case. Terming
his arrest as illegal and an injustice to the biggest media group, Dr Shah said
that the rulers wanted to suppress the voice of the independent media group. He
said if the rulers were interested in accountability of the corrupt, they
should hold investigations into the mega scandals, including the Bus Rapid
Transit, Malam Jabba land scam and the sugar and flour crises.

Dr Zakir Shah
demanded the release of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman and withdrawal of cases against
him. He extended his party’s support to the Jang Group, saying they would
support the media at every forum. Peshawar Press Club President Syed Bukhar
Shah also condemned the detention of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, who had been behind
bars for the last 60 days. He said the rulers wanted to stifle the voice of the
independent media group, but they would be unable to do so.

Khyber Union of
Journalists’ former president Nisar Mehmud also condemned the arrest of Mir
Shakil in a 34-year old property case, saying these pressure tactics could not
muzzle their urge to tell the truth.

Newspaper: The News