Action against Jang Group deplored
TANDO JAM: Father-in-law of the opposition leader Hakim Ali Zardari, strongly criticising government action against the Jang Group of Newspapers, has termed it as vindictive and reproachable. Talking to newsmen in Tando Qaisar at the residence of Mushtaq Nizamani, he said these attacks were directly aimed at curbing freedom of the press, and intended as a punishment for speaking the truth.
The rulers, he said, do not want their secrets divulged and their inept and corrupt practices disclosed, he alleged. Following the establishment of autocratic control by the government on the judiciary, administration and other institutions, now it is the turn of the press, he added. These actions do not go well with the democratic values claimed to be observed in the country under the present government, he said.
Hakim said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) should join hands with the PONM and reach an understanding with the "Urdu-speaking movement" to launch a concerted campaign against the government.
He said a full-scale campaign would be launched under the banner of the Pakistan Awami Ittehad immediately after Eid. He said a situation similar to the one in 1971 is being created by the rulers as the rights of the smaller sections of the population are being usurped.
He pointed out that the religious parties at the time of independence were not in favour of establishment of Pakistan, and now the same are being awarded certificates of patriotism. The role played by the Bengalis and the Sindhis at that time deserved high accolade, he said. Today their rights are being usurped, he said. Military courts have been established in addition to the existing ones and still the people are not getting access to justice, he said. After taking control of the judiciary, the government has now turned its attention towards Wapda, he said. He strongly criticised the involvement of armed forces in Wapda affairs.