Mushahid sees no point in registering sedition cases
By our correspondent
KARACHI: Denying that the federal government had ordered registration of sedition cases against three newspapers for publishing an advertisement, Federal Information Minister Mushahid Hussain Syed has said that he would discuss the issue with the Sindh Governor for their withdrawal.
He was speaking at a reception hosted by Adviser to the Ministry of Information Nusrat Mirza here on Monday. To a question regarding the sedition cases against Jang, Amn and Parcham, Mushahid Hussain said, "it is a local matter and it has nothing to do with federal government. I do not see any reason for the registration of cases merely for publishing advertisements in newspapers." He said that the PML-N government believed in the freedom of Press and it would not compromise on it.
Referring to the situation in Karachi, he said the government took a difficult decision to impose the governor's rule in Sindh, which has proved to be a right step. He said the government was committed to eradicate terrorism from the society and it was not ready to make any compromise over this issue.
Mushahid said that restoration of law and order, revival of economy and good governance were the top priority issues of the government. "No society, state or government can allow a particular group to hold the society hostage," he remarked.
The minister said the government had set up military courts in Sindh, under the constitutional provision, to provide speedy justice to the people and eliminate terrorism. "We have now set up military courts all over the country to curb terrorism," he added.
"Our government had faced a hell of odds. But despite all odds the situation was improving in every field as the economy is gearing up, law and order was improving and internationally Pakistan has improved its rating." He said the Army is doing the job of judiciary in an extraordinary situation. "But it is under law and constitutional provisions," he added.