Unfair to label Jang group owner's arrest 'revenge' tactics govt: Awan.

ISLAMABAD -- Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Friday said it was unfair to term the arrest of Jang Group's Editor-inChief Mir Shakilur Rahman as revenge tactics by the government for his media house's stance. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Awan said: "Allegations are made every day, but after these allegations are made, evidence is produced in the court, and both sides are given the chance to present evidence supporting their stance; the decision then made by the court is just." To call this "revenge" or to say this was carried out according to the government's wishes is unfair, and unjust, she said, adding that every person had the right to prove their innocence in the face of allegations leveled against them. Remarking that NAB was a free and independent institution, Awan said "truth will prevail" in this case. The PM's aide said Prime Minister Imran Khan, since coming into power, had worked towards strengthening institutions that were previously in a bad state. "Under the PM's governance, institutions are working freely. However, after yesterday's arrest, to continuously say the government has killed press freedom to connect these two things, and to use a watchdog to push an agenda against the government goes against the principles of journalism."

"We expect NAB to present evidence in the court on the basis of which it...