AIB welcomes acquittal of Pakistan media group head

The AIB welcomes the decision of the Accountability Court in Lahore to acquit Mir Shakil-ur Rahman, editor in chief and CEO of Jang-Geo Group, of charges relating to property transactions over 30 years ago.

Rahman was kept in jail for eight months until pressure from the international community – including the AIB – resulted in his release on bail in November 2020 following an order by Pakistan’s Supreme Court. 

MSR’s arrest followed a significant campaign by the Pakistan government against Geo TV and Jang Group that has included restrictions on carriage of the nationwide TV network imposed by the Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority, and attacks on journalists working for Geo TV and Jang publications.

“We hope that the release of MSR marks the start of a change in approach to media freedom in Pakistan,” said Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the AIB. “The intimidation of journalists and media owners in the country has gone on for far too long. Pakistan needs to embrace the principles of media freedom for the benefit of its citizens.”