Mir Shakeel, Saif hold talks
ISLAMABAD (APP): Senator Saifur Rahman, chief of Ehtesab Bureau, and Mir Shakeel ur Rehman, Chief Executive, Jang Group of Newspapers, held a one-to-one meeting for one-and a-half hours here on Saturday and discussed all issues between the government and the Jang Group.
Sen. Saif pointed out that the on-going media campaign was basically uncalled for. “It started with tax recovery and, therefore, there was no question of discrimination,” the Ehtesab Bureau chief said.
The government, Sen. Saif said, is determined to recover outstanding tax from, all defaulters.
He assured that “the government does not intend to impose any press curbs.”
He said despite all kinds of provocation by the Jang Group, the government did not take any legal action against it.
“Mir Shakeel regretted making public informal talks held in the past,” the EB official said. According to source, “The negotiations will continue.”
“Mir Shakeel asked that the tax cases instituted by the government against the Jang Group be withdrawn. On this, the chief of the Ehtesab Bureau maintained that the matter has to be resolved through legal parameters between the revenue collection authorities and the Jang Group.”
“As far as newsprint was concerned, it has been released in line with the orders of the Supreme Court,” Sen. Saif stated.
“Police and FIA have been conveyed orders to withdraw their staff from the premises of the Jang Group of Publications.”
“Besides, instructions have been issued to unfreeze some accounts of the Jang Group so that it could disburse salaries to the employees.”
The EB chief said the government upholds the freedom of the press but it expected from a free press to display responsibility and support the national causes.
Sen. Saifur Rehman hoped that “the Jang Group of Newspapers would end the contract system of employment and implement the wage board awards. The need for it was repeatedly impressed by the various media trade bodies representatives during the government – Jang Group row”.
“The meeting ended on a positive note and these negotiations will continue,” the EB official said.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:2/7/1999
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