Accord between Govt-Jang Group | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Accord between Govt-Jang Group

A settlement has come out of the ongoing talks between the government and the Jang Group of Newspapers after nearly two months of hostility. The government has released the newsprint, unfrozen the frozen bank accounts and removed the FIA personnel from the Group’s offices.

The talks took place between Jang Chief Executive Mir Shakil ur Rehman and Law Minister Khalid Anwar, Information Minister Mushahid Hussain, and Chairman Ehtesab Bureau Senator Saif ur Rehman. The break through was achieved in a meeting headed by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif as Chief Negotiator.

The Jang Group announced on January 10, 1999 that salaries of the workers would be paid and the Jang newspapers and publications would soon be restored to full capacity. The negotiations would continue to address the remaining unresolved matters.

The Jang Group filed for indefinite adjournment of the writ petition instituted against the government by the Group, pending ongoing talks. The counsel for the Jang Group stated that an out of court settlement was under consideration of the petitioner and the defendants. The Supreme Court adjourned the petition and supporting petitions to a later date with the observation that all the petitions would be heard together.

The Urdu daily Jang and English daily The News have resumed full publication since January 11, 1999.

Date:2/12/1999