Javed Jabbar assures compensation to Business Recorder
KARACHI- Javed Jabbar, Adviser on political affairs to the Chief Executive, who visited the fire-ravaged offices of Business Recorder, lost no time to come to the conclusion that it was a systematic and well-planned arson.
He expressed his deep sorrow over the loss caused by the fire, and promised to brief the Chief Executive personally on the pre-planned incident.
“This is savage. It looks that the raid was systematic and well-planned. It has told us about the danger from extremism”. The incident gave us a message about the existence of the extremist elements,” he further added, “A paper which has no dispute with any political or any other force and which only deals with the economy of this country, has been targeted. 1 feel deeply sad over the incident.”
He appreciated the role of Business Recorder in the development of the economy and economic journalism. “Business Recorder has given a new dimension to journalism. Its effort in the development of the economy is highly appreciable. The paper has created history in the profession of journalism in the country,” he said.
“I have witnessed many attacks on the media and publications but the attack on Business Recorder was much more shocking,” he remarked when he visited the burnt newsroom, reporters room, computer room, reading room, feeding room and other related departments which were completely destroyed in the intense fire. “This is my first visit and 1 am trying to assess the losses. I will brief the Chief Executive about the losses very soon. We will try to make up the losses suffered by the newspaper,” Jabbar said.
According to a preliminary estimate, material loss came to about Rs 150 million. The minister said that the federal and provincial governments had regretted the incident and would try to compensate the losses.
He appreciated the courage of the Zuberis and their newspaper staff who continued to bring out the paper despite an extremely difficult situation. He said Business Recorder had set a new example by bringing out the newspaper, despite all odds. “Let me salute the owners of the newspaper and its staff who braved the highly difficult situation,” Jabbar said.
He said such incidents were likely to send the wrong message to the outer world, making it more difficult for the government to attract foreign investors. “The loss is greater than my imaginations” commented Javed Jabbar.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:5/23/2000
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