Jang Group respects armed forces immensely

KARACHI: The Jang Group issued the following statement on Sunday: "We are thankful to Allah Almighty that Hamid Mir, the pride of journalists across the region, survived a cowardly attack on his life. Three of the six bullets that entered his body are still lodged there and have ruptured his bladder and intestines but his condition is no longer critical.

"The Jang Group clarifies that it has not put the blame on any institution or section of any institution. The Jang Group values and respects all institutions. All including the accused must be presumed innocent until proven guilty. The Jang Group demands an independent and fair investigation without fear or favour.

"The Jang Group has a history of standing besides its team members in difficult times regardless of any cost - financial or otherwise. The people have witnessed that in the past too during the tenure of various governments we stood for the cause of freedom of the press and suffered losses of billions of rupees and our cases are still pending in the courts in this regard. It is not new to us that due to our independent policy, serious allegations have been levelled against our group; it has been done many times in the past to but we have always given a befitting reply and no one has ever proved any allegation against us. We always endeavour to report the truth to our viewers and readers and it is our resolve to stick to this policy in the future also. We believe that it is in the interest of the people and state of Pakistan.”



"Hamid Mir had sent written and video statements to his colleagues and friends and members of the family where security risks and threats to his life had been clearly identified. Some of this material we will share in good time after taking the consent of Hamid Mir now that he is out of danger. Hamid Mir has been categorical in stating that some individuals in the security agencies have been after him for a while.”

“His brother and investigative journalist, Amir Mir, as per Hamid's written and verbal instructions to friends, family and colleagues, has disclosed some individuals who should be considered as suspects. We have published/aired his statement and also given the point of view of the ISI through ISPR as per the principles of journalism. In various talk shows and programmes of our media group since the evening of Friday, all points of view have been covered properly.”

"Accusing individuals is not the same thing as accusing an institution. In the recent past as well as in history we have come across many examples where rogue agents have been punished for going against the institutions' values. Many individuals have, in fact, physically revolted and attacked their own institutions. Allegations against the ISI have also been levelled in the past.”

"We also want to bring it on the record that the ISI has been continuously and strongly complaining to our senior editors against some of our senior journalists, particularly against Hamid Mir. We will prove this and many other things at the proper time.”

"Hamid Mir is known for his courage and for taking up causes that might have annoyed the forces inimical to the freedom of expression, including shedding light on the missing persons' cases, the Balochistan issue, Karachi security, the rule of law and democracy. He was also vocal on the rule of law being applied to past dictators who have broken their oath and the Constitution.”

"We categorically state here that our media group not only respects the armed forces of Pakistan from the core of its heart, it would also continue to exercise its constitutional and legal right to freedom of expression for a strong Pakistan.”

"We are grateful for the prayers of the common people of the country who count Hamid Mir as their friend."