GUJRAT: Jamaat-e-Islami emir Senator Sirajul Haq says Pakistani media has been under immense pressure of the government and state institutions and its voice is being suppressed.

“This situation is a cause of serious concern for democratic forces. My party will strongly stand with the cause of independent media besides raising voice for the media freedom at the floor of both the houses of parliament,” the JI leader said while talking to Dawn at a hotel in Kharian on Tuesday.

He said the media, too, should differentiate between the truth and lie.

Haq said the kidnapping of an SP-ranked officer from the federal capital and his murder in Afghanistan had put question marks on the working of security agencies.

He said it seemed different secret organizations were operating in Pakistan freely and could strike at will.

He said had such an incident occurred anywhere in the world, the government concerned would never have sit with an ease. He said the murder of SP Tahir Dawar and assassination of Maulana Samiul Haq in Islamabad might have implications for Pakistan as well as Afghanistan.

“The PTI government does not even know its destination and direction while its ministers remained in search of lame excuses.”Punjab (North) JI emir Dr Tariq Saleem, Gujrat JI emir Ziaullah advocate and others were also present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2018