JI leader blasts govt for bid to gag the media

MINGORA: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) provincial chief Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan has condemned a government move to bring new media ordinance aimed at gaging the press in the country.

“The proposed ordinance will intensify the miseries of journalists and create the worst situation for free media. The rulers

want to curb the media and press freedom in the country,” he told a press conference at Markaz-e- Islami in Sangota.

He said that senior journalists and media houses owners were being threatened on a regular basis. “Justice Qazi Faiz Isa is being targeted by the government, president and ministers for their vested interests. In the democratic States critical voices are given respect, but in Pakistan such voices are suppressed in this government,” he said.

He added that every sector of the country was in dilapidated condition, due to the incompetent politicians and failed policies of the rulers.

While criticizing National accountability Bureau (NAB), Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan said that NAB has totally failed in accountability of government ministers, MNAs and leaders. “Accountability should not only be confined to opposition. Chairman NAB has shut eyes on the Sugar Scandal, BRT Scandal, Malam Jabba Scandal and Rawalpindi Ring Road Scandal,” he added.

He said that the Pentagon had confirmed that the government of Pakistan had agreed in principle to provide logistic support, air space and air bases to US forces in order to monitor Afghanistan from Pakistan.

He said that it would not be tolerated at any cost, and JI would launch a countrywide agitation against the selected government, and would never allow them to be used for the interest of the US government.

“No compromise on Kashmir would be accepted by the people of Pakistan. The government must stop all kinds of backdoor communication and negotiations with India, until they accept the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” the JI leader added.

Senator Mushtaq also warned the government against the increase in the prices of the basic necessities and commodities.