Kashmiri leaders in Europe call for MSR's immediate release

Marjan Lucas, a human rights activist from the Netherlands, on Thursday demanded the immediate release of Editor-in-Chief of Jang/Geo Media Group Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman.

"Geo TV is a gem as it covers and highlights the genuine cause of Kashmir in Europe and fights globally for their rights," she said in a video statement.

"Since the foundation of the group, they have struggled for the freedom of the press. Save this pearl and free Mir Shakeel-ur-Rahman," she urged.

Tanveer Chaudhry, president of JKLF Europe, joined his voice to the appeal. 

"JKLF Europe Zone demands the immediate release of Mir Shakeel-ur-Rahman and the illegal and unjust cases against him should be withdrawn. The group [Jang Geo Media] has stood with the cause of the Kashmiris," he said.

Regretting that the people who had looted the country were given bail but MSR was denied the same, he described the status quo as "unjust". 

Likewise, Chairman Kashmir Council EU Ali Raza Syed demanded the immediate withdrawal of the unjust and baseless cases against Mir Shakeel-ur-Rahman, noting that Geo has played a pivotal role in highlighting the cause of helpless Kashmiris.

The president of the International Peace Forum, a Paris-based Kashmiri rights group, said that Mir Shakeel-ur-Rahman's services and sacrifices for the independence of Kashmir are second to none.

"NAB should release him [simply] due to his services for Kashmir so that the injustices taking place in the valley can [continue to] be highlighted."

Senior politicians, journalists from major media outlets, and other notables have also spoken out in favour of MSR, who, local and international watchdogs believe, is being victimised for speaking the truth. 

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 by the National Accountability Bureau.

World-renowned rights activist and academic Noam Chomsky last week had joined the growing number of voices condemning MSR's arrest.

The respected thinker and activist lent his support to a statement calling for the fair treatment of the senior-most journalist of Pakistan's largest media group and condemning the arbitrary nature of his arrest as well as detention. 

MSR arrested in fake case

NAB had on March 12 arrested MSR in connection with property allegedly bought illegally from a government entity more than 34 years ago.

According to a Jang Group spokesperson, the property was in fact bought from a private party 34 years ago and all evidence of this was given to NAB and legal requirements fulfilled, such as duty and taxes.

According to the spokesperson, the appearance before NAB was in relation to a call-up notice for the verification of the complaint, yet an arrest was made. Islamabad High Court's recent judgment against NAB's violation of the country’s law and a violation of NAB's own rules has been committed.

"In the past 18 months, NAB has sent our reporters, producers, and editors — directly and indirectly — over a dozen notices, threatening a shutdown of our channels (via PEMRA) due to our reporting and our programmes on NAB," said the spokesperson.

"In its defense, NAB has in writing said it is a constitutionally protected institution that cannot be criticised. NAB has also, through several means, tried to persuade the group to step back, to stop stories, among other measures in its favor at the expense of the full truth."

"The Group will not stop any reporters, producers or anchors from any story that is on merit and at the same time will include NAB’s version. In this case, NAB denies all allegations above and claims they are independently pursuing all cases and have not been asked to do by the democratically elected government," the spokesperson added.