Dawn criticizes Matiullah Jan's arrest as 'misuse of the law'

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 30 November 2024 |  JP Staff Report

Dawn condemned the arrest of Matiullah Jan, highlighting the state's misuse of legal mechanisms against dissent. The editorial stresses the need for responsible legal action.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—Leading English daily Dawn on Saturday condemned the arrest of journalist Matiullah Jan following the PTI protest in Islamabad, describing it as “a case of the state’s overzealous and misplaced application of the law.”

In a strongly worded editorial, the newspaper cautioned the state against turning the law into a tool for oppression. It emphasized that if the government has credible evidence of wrongdoing, it should pursue legal action responsibly, rather than resorting to “lawfare” based on dubious evidence. “Before Mr. Jan, countless journalists, rights defenders, and political activists have faced similar mistreatment. The state often weaponizes legal provisions against individuals it perceives as threats, reducing the legal system to a farce,” the editorial stated.

The paper also criticized the growing trend of filing multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) across the country against dissenting voices. It highlighted the absurdity of complaints being registered simultaneously from Kohat to Gwadar, often by random individuals claiming their sentiments were hurt by speeches or social media posts critical of the government.

“These practices would be laughable were it not for the severity of the charges involved, including treason and blasphemy,” the editorial remarked, urging the authorities to halt such misuse of the law. It concluded with a call for an end to the persecution of dissenting voices in Pakistan.