Bilawal terms kidnapping of Mateeullah attack on democracy, media

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari Friday, while condemning the abduction of journalist, Mateeullah Jan, has termed it an attack on Pakistan's democracy and media, adding that it is in every way against the laws of the country.

Talking to media persons here after visiting the journalist's residence, he said that one can dislike Mateeullah Jan and his views but kidnapping him was an attempt to snatch the freedom of speech from the public. "An attack such as this is not only unlawful and against the Constitution, but also inhumane," Bilawal said.

"I have come here today to extend my support to Mateeullah Jan because what happened with him can happen with you or me as well," he added. "Whatever has been done to Matiullah Jan can be done to anyone, including you and I." Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari appreciated the bravery of the family of Mateeullah Jan who remained steadfast on principles.

He said that Matiullah Jan's resolve was a treasure for this generation and the generations to come. The issues faced by the country cannot be solved until freedom of expression is not protected, adding "We should debate on our difference of opinion. Such kidnappings are done by small people".

The chairman PPP said that Peoples Party had always fought for the rights of journalists and would continue to do so. Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that Pakistan was a democratic Islamic country and such attacks were in fact attacks on our democracy, freedom of press, and human rights. Bilawal said that he had come to express solidarity with Mateeullah Jan.

Responding to Bilawal, the journalist thanked the PPP chairperson and other political parties for supporting him. "Freedom of speech is not only important for journalists but also the Parliament and the judiciary," he said.

Meanwhile, the central leaders of the PPP, at a press conference, said that on 25th July 2018 the worst kind of political engineering happened and "pygmies" were imposed on Pakistan.

Secretary Information PPP Dr Nafisa Shah and Deputy Secretary Palwasha Khan addressing the press conference along with Nazir Dhoki said that the PPP chairman in his first speech in the National Assembly had called Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan "selected".

The "selected" had come to power with a 100-day programme but after 700 days, the "selected" have taken "u-turns" and nothing else, they said. Lambasting the government, the PPP leaders said that the presidency was issuing illegal ordinances, notifications, Osama Bin Laden was called a "Shaheed" by PM "select" and when the PTI was asked questions in this regard, Ehsanullah Ehsan threatens the PPP leadership.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020