Jang Group journalists renew calls for Mir Shakil's release

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 30 March 2020

Journalists from the Jang Group are renewing calls for the release of Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman. Criticism of the government's actions and its impact on media freedom is also highlighted.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—A number of journalists used Twitter on Sunday to make renewed calls for the release of Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman, owner of Jang-Geo Group.

Some of them simply demanded release of the media mogul while others criticized the PTI government, and targeted Prime Minister Imran Khan.

A few also pointed to Mir Javed-ur-Rehman, brother of Mir Shakil, who was battling cancer and was in ca ritical condition in a Karachi hospital.

In a tweet in Urdu, Saleem Safi of Jirga fame, who has no love lost for the prime minister, said if anything happened to MSR, the premier and the chairman NAB would be responsible.

Talat Aslam of The News said that despite his disagreement with MSR, he would make a case for his release. “I’ve had numerous disagreements, arguments with MSR. But never ever have I been given a shut-up call or victimised for my dissent. The tolerance for diversity of views in our group is what makes me respect MSR. I wish our govt could be half as tolerant. #ReleaseMirShakilurRehman.”

I’ve had numerous disagreements, arguments with MSR. But never ever have I been given a shut-up call or victimised for my dissent. The tolerance for diversity of views in our group is what makes me respect MSR.I wish our govt could be half as tolerant. #ReleaseMirShakilurRehman

— Talat Aslam (@titojourno) March 29, 2020

Umer Cheema, another journalist of The News told Aslam that “Whoever has worked with MSR will testify that he is a gem. Pity the ignorant who curse him out of ignorance.”

In another tweet in Urdu, Cheema lamented that the elder brother was behind bars while the younger brother battled cancer.

Tariq Butt, also of The News pasted a picture of MSR behind bars and tweeted: “Look at the catastrophe (COVID-19) engulfing Pakistan and see revengeful mind.”

Fakhar Durrani tweeted in Urdu that nothing would come out of the case against MSR, but the nation had seen the “vindictive face” of the prime minister. He maintained that a vindictive person can never be happy.

Journalist Murtaza Ali Shah alleged that “Imran Khan used a friend three years ago to hire a detective agency to find anything ‘illegal’ anywhere in the world against #MirShakilUrRehman. The agency charged thousands of pounds and told IK that MSR had done nothing wrong nothing negative on him #ReleaseMirShakilurRehman.”

KEY POINTS:

• Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman faces renewed calls for release by fellow journalists.
• Concerns raised over his brother's health amidst ongoing legal battles.
• Critics target Prime Minister Imran Khan for perceived government vindictiveness.
• Statements emphasize the importance of media tolerance and freedom of expression.
• Journalists maintain that Mir Shakil is respected for allowing diverse viewpoints.