Top businessmen for fair treatment with Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman

KARACHI: Renowned industrialists and businessmen Arif Habib, Aqeel Karim Dhedh, Mian Muhammad Mansha, Ali Tabba, and Jahangir Siddiqui have demanded that Jang-Geo Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman should be given the same treatment that has been promised with the business community.

In a message, Arif Habib Group’s founder Arif Habib said that Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, Jang Group, and his family had contributed to the state and society for generations and were the largest media house of the country.

"Keeping that in mind, he should be given the same provisions and come under the same SOPs that were made and promised for the business community," he said in a message.

"As such, the trial should continue and there is no need for physical custody especially if Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman is cooperating with NAB," he added.

AKD Group’s founder and Chairman Aqeel Karim Dhedhi said that if NAB thinks there is merit in a 34-year-old property transaction, it should start a trial in court. "But until Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman is proven guilty, he should not be arrested," he maintained.

"This is not only against fundamental rights but will also smell of victimisation against editorial independence. In the recent past, the business community had complained to the NAB chairman of such highhandedness and he graciously listened and promised to address to restore confidence in the system," he affirmed.

Jahangir Siddiqui & Co Ltd founder Jahangir Siddiqui said that Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman should be allowed to defend himself as a free man. "Everyone should be presumed innocent until proven guilty," he said.

Lucky Cement Chief Executive Ali Tabba said that Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman should be provided the SOPs that the business community was promised and that he should be released as he was cooperating with the NAB.

“Mir Shakil ur Rahman MSR, of Jang Group and his family have contributed positively to the state and society through generations. It is the largest media house of the country, contributing immensely towards creating political awareness and running campaigns on important issues,” Tabba said.

“They have changed the level of dialogue and created a huge impact on state schools in Pakistan,” he added.

Chairman Nishat Group Mian Mansha termed Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman’s arrest as unjustified and called for his immediate bail.

“I would request the authorities to release Mir-Shakil-ur Rahman on bail. He is a pillar of our media industry and recognised as such all over the world. His arrest before investigation is unjustified,” he said.

“Let the law take its own course,” Mansha urged.

MSR's arrest has been roundly condemned by many politicians, journalists, lawyers, and human rights bodies across the country.

Senior politicians from across the spectrum, journalists from major media outlets and other notables spoken out 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 MSR.

Originally published in The News