FIA team attempts to enter Jang, The News offices
LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) attempted to enter the offices of the Jang Group of Newspapers here at Davis Road on Friday consisting of about eight persons, parked their vehicle some way off from the building and then arrived at the offices of the Group, housing both The News and Jang.
They wished to enter the premises, and ‘check various matters. However, senior members of the editorial staff spoke to the team, while the gates were shut off to avoid any untoward incident.
How ever, after the first failed attempt the FIA officials made another attempt but charged up workers resisted peacefully, forcing the FIA officials to flee from the scene.
Workers also kept a vigil at the building till late at night, to ensure no further action was attempted. Soon after the raids, workers and senior staff members from Jang, The News, Awaz and other departments of the Group, including press workers, staged protest on the road outside the building. They raised slogans against Senator Saifur Rehman and his actions, and for freedom of press.
They also vowed to protect the freedom of press at all costs. The protest was joined by the president of the Lahore Press Club, Syed Saqlain Imam, who arrived at the offices on hearing of the raid.
The news of the FIA raids at the Jang offices in fact spread like a jungle fire through the city, drawing dozens of journalists from other newspapers, who gathered outside the Jang building to show their solidarity for the Group against the government victimization campaign. Various calls were also received at the Groups’ offices from editors, journalists, trade union leaders and others to condemn the harassment being carried out and the drive against the Group.
There were also reports that law enforcing agencies would setup pickets to check on Group workers late into the night.
Source: The News
Date:1/30/1999
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