In a statement here, SCBA President Kamran Murtaza said any action against Geo would cause anarchy. He said the dispute should be resolved amicably as it was in the interest of Pakistan. He said the lawyers community was in favour of a free media. He said the Saturday’s meeting would devise a strategy in this regard.

Former SCBA president and Pakistan Bar Council member Yaseen Azad said the government had announced an investigation commission and Pemra should not take any action until the investigation was completed. He said if Geo was targeted, there would be tension between the government and media. He said any delay in the registration of an FIR on the murderous attempt on Hamid Mir could affect the case. He said had the reservations of Hamid Mir been put on record, the situation would have been different.

The News

PCP Chairman Raja M Shafqat Khan Abbasi and Vice Chairman, Pakistan Bar Council, Akhtar Hussain have signed a MoU in this regard here on Friday. Protecting rights of the media and working journalists, especially in sensitive areas has seriously become a tough issue to address to these days in Pakistan. Press as well as legal fraternity of Pakistan had played a vital role in upholding true values of democracy for the rule of law and citizens’ right of expression granted under the Constitution.

According to MoU, both the bodies have agreed to become strategic partners to collaborate in providing legal aid to media persons who fell victim to attack/harassment or murder while during their professional work. The scope of collaboration will include at all levels throughout the country. The Pakistan Bar Council and Press Council of Pakistan will support and strengthen each other’s ongoing initiatives in this regard.

The PBC and PCP will jointly develop new concepts and ideas to protect rights of the media and working journalists in any part of the country.

Both the PBC and PCP will form a working group to review progress on quarterly basis and explore new areas to promote ethical journalism and safe environment for the media persons in the country.

They will support each other in case of any attack or assault on the freedom of press. It was agreed to make short, medium and long terms arrangements to meet the stipulated objectives within ambits of their working charters.

Pakistan Press Foundation