QUETTA: The Balochistan police has lodged a first information report (FIR) against ARY News at the orders of provincial government for airing a video of attack on Ziarat residency, triggering a strong condemnation from all journalist organizations across Pakistan.

The FIR was lodged against CEO ARY Communications Salman Iqbal, Director News Owais Tahid and Beauro Chiefs’ of Islamabad and Quetta.

The FIR comes in a time when the case against airing the controversial footage that shows the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) destructing the Ziasrat Residency is already in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

The apex court on Monday summoned the CEO of ARY News for the next hearing of the case scheduled on Tuesday (tomorrow) for airing a video of attack on Ziarat residency.

“For God sake, demonstrate seriousness,” Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhyr said while hearing Ziarat residency case.

Meanwhile, the decision of Balochistan government of registering the FIR against the news channel has faced serious condemnation from all journalist organizations throughout Pakistan.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalist (PFUJ) has announced an ultimatum to the provincial government that if the FIR is not taken back, the PFUJ will launch a nationwide protest.

The PFUJ secretary, Pervaiz Shaukat, said that the organization extends complete support to ARY News, and the press community will stand by it.

Shaukat further said that even in the days of martial laws and dictators such attitude was not seen as is seen now.


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