One-sided media trial against armed forces should end, says Nisar

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said Friday that a one-sided media trial against Pakistan’s armed forces and defence establishments should end, DawnNews reported. Speaking to media representatives outside the Parliament House in the federal capital, Nisar said it was the federal government’s constitutional and legal responsibility to protect the dignity of the Pakistan Army and other intelligence agencies, adding that there should be no ambiguity or fallacy in that respect. The interior minister said Jang group would have to retract its steps in the greater national interests of Pakistan, adding that the media trial over senior journalist Hamid Mir's attack would have to end otherwise anti-state elements would take advantage of the situation. The minister said he was personally trying to ensure that the situation would not be aggravated from either of the sides. The minister said the ISPR had strongly condemned the attack on Mir and also demanded for an independent commission to probe the incident, adding that a media trial would create further confusion. He said all forces and segments of society were on the same page over conducting a transparent investigation into the attack on journalist Hamid Mir and to bring his perpetrators to justice. Nisar said an independent media as well as honourable and dignified armed forces were the needs of Pakistan. He advised both sides to remain patient and to avoid troublemakers. The interior minister said Mir’s family should