Leading religious scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani questions arbitrary detention of MSR
MSR should be released and the case against him pursued in court, says Mufti Taqi Usmani
April 15, 2020
KARACHI: Leading religious scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani on Wednesday raised questions on the arrest of Editor-in-Chief of Jang and Geo Group Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman.
"Keeping someone behind the bars without a case is against the Islamic principles of justice," said Mufti Taqi Usmani. He added that if MSR was ready to provide evidence of his innocence in court, there was no point in keeping him in detention any further.
"Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman should be released and the case against him pursued in court," said the scholar. He also added that the case against the veteran journalist and businessman should be filed only if there were concrete witnesses ready to come forward and testify.
The arrest of Jang Geo Media Group Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman (MSR) by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in a 34-year-old property case has been roundly condemned by many politicians, journalists, lawyers, and human rights bodies across the country.
Also read: Amal Clooney’s law firm files appeal at UN against MSR’s 'arbitrary arrest' by NAB
Senior politicians from across the spectrum, journalists from major media outlets and other notables spoken out in in favour of the veteran journalist, who, local and international watchdogs have said, is being victimised for speaking truth to power.
Celebrity barrister Amal Clooney’s law firm, Doughty Street Chambers, has also filed a complaint at the United Nations (UN) against the "politically-motivated and arbitrary arrest" of Jang Geo Media Group Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman by the National Accountability Bureau.
