Shahbaz Sharif writes letter to NA Speaker for restoration of 24News license

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz President and Opposition Leader in National Assembly Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has written a letter to Speaker National Asad Qaiser to restore the licence of 24NewsHD TV.

The letter reads:

 “Mr Asad Qaiser,

Speaker National Assembly,

Assalam-o-Alaikum!

“I want you to take a look at the sheer violation of the law, constitution and democracy. This is the matter of unusual bans on media and related to jobs of the media workers. The latest example of this is the suspension of the 24News after that thousands of people have lost their jobs.

Like other sectors of the country have been affected in the country since the incumbent government has come into power, the media has also been facing devastating situations. First, the government banned advertisements taking dictatorship-like measures followed by systemic campaigns to sack the ‘not-so-favourite’ journalists. Their columns, programs were banned. Then cases were lodged against those media owners who were not stopping the criticism. The latest example was the arrest of Mir Shakil ur Rehman that has been criticized by law fraternity, Pakistan Bar Council Executive Council and from international organizations.”

This is not just related to Channel 24 but it is an overall intolerance against the media. The government’s extremism has reached its peak and the government has been using every tool to shun the media voice that is not accepting the ‘government’s truth’.

The constitution has given complete rights of freedom of expression and has been accepted as a fundamental right. The 18th amendment has cemented this clause already included in the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan.

We condemned in the strongest possible words the use of force and illegal and undemocratic ways including stone pelting, lathi charge and bullets against the peaceful protest.

As an elected representative of the opposition, I demanded that Mir Shakil ur Rehman should be released and Channel 24 suspension order should be immediately retrieved. As per law, a constitutional committee should be formed that will review the grievances of the media industry and make proposals in consultations with media originations and representatives that would be later implemented through parliament.

I am hoping you will make a decision as per the law, democracy and state’s fourth pillar and above party affiliation or under the Prime Minister pressure.

Waiting for your reply

Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif

Leader of the Opposition the National Assembly