The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed concern over the arrest of Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). According to the HRCP's Twitter account, the human rights watchdog is of the view that there is a strong suspicion that the arrest of the media mogul is politically motivated.
The HRCP account also claims in its tweets that the arrest is being seen by journalists as an attack on press freedoms.
Owner of Geo-Jang group Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman has been arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in a case pertaining to the purchase of a 45-kanal piece of land. The matter dates back over three decades.
On Thursday, Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman appeared before the accountability bureau for the second time in this case. According to reports, he did not manage to satisfy the officials with his response, after which he was arrested.
NAB has claimed that former PM Nawaz Sharif had given the said piece of land to Rahman in 1986.
HRCP is deeply concerned at the arrest of Mir Shakil ur Rehman, Editor-in-Chief of the #Jang/Geo group by NAB, on a 34-year-old property-related matter. There remains a strong suspicion that such actions by NAB are selective, arbitrary and politically motivated. 1/2
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) March 12, 2020