KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi spokesperson Zahid Askari has strictly condemned the attack on media outlets by Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) activists and has demanded the government to bring the culprits and their instigators to justice.
In a statement on Monday, the JI leader demanded exemplary punishment for those involved in systematic attacks on media outlets. He expressed his sorrow and anger over the harassment and torture of media workers.
He said that this time, once again, MQM has revealed its true nature as its workers, instigated by MQM’s leadership, targeted the television channels so as to forcefully mould the airings of media channels in their favor.
Zahid Askari termed the entire episode an attack on freedom of media and expression. He said that this naked form of terrorism was acted out to punish the media for exposing the misdeeds of MQM’s leadership.
He criticized the federal government for giving a freehand to MQM against the state. He also blamed the provincial government for showing leniency towards the criminal elements of MQM.
The JI spokesperson went on to say that a detailed interrogation of the entire episode should be held on war footing basis and the party, if proven guilty, as is evident from their behavior, should be banned.
He further said that committing a crime and later apologizing and asking for pardon has long been a modus operandi for the MQM.
