PTI leaders have strongly condemned the arrest of the co-Chairman of BOL TV and Axact Chief Executive Officer Shoaib Ahmed Sheikh.
Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested Shoaib Ahmed Sheikh on Thursday from the Islamabad airport on charges of bribing a former sessions judge for his acquittal in the fake degrees case.
According to the details, in 2017 Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Pervez-ul-Qadir Memon had admitted before the Islamabad High Court that he had received Rs5 million to acquit the Axact CEO.
The FIA has summoned Shoaib Sheikh multiple times in their probe into the bribery case since then. Shoaib Sheikh failed to appear at the FIA headquarters despite several notices and was arrested last night.
Read more: Axact CEO Shoaib Shaikh’s no show displeases SHC
On the other hand, PTI leaders believe Shoaib Sheikh is facing a crackdown in retaliation to Bol’s media coverage of PTI Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Pertinent to mention that the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) imposed a ban on live airing of Imran Khan’s speeches.
“The arrest of Shoaib Sheikh is another example of growing fascism in the country. If the voice is not raised for freedom, no one will be free,” PTI Secretary General Asad Umar said.
شعیب شیخ کی گرفتاری ملک میں بڑھتی ہوئی فسطائیت کی ایک اور مثال ہے۔ اگر ابھی بھی آزادی کے لئے آواز نہ اٹھائی تو کسی کی آزادی نہیں بچے گی
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) March 9, 2023
“I strongly condemn the illegal arrest of Bol TV Chairman Shoaib Sheikh. This is another serious blow to the freedom of expression of imported rulers. He has rendered immense services in the development of the IT sector,” Former Deputy Speaker of National Assembly of Pakistan Qasim Khan Suri said.
بول ٹی وی کے چیئرمین شعیب شیخ کی غیر قانونی گرفتاری کی شدید مذمت کرتا ہوں یہ امپورٹڈ حکمرانوں کا آذادی اظہار رائے پر ایک اور سنگین وار ہے، شعیب شیخ نہ صرف فسطائیت کے اس دور میں ڈٹ کے کھڑے ہیں بلکہ پاکستان کے آئی ٹی سیکٹر کی ترقی میں ان کی بے پناہ خدمات ہیں۔#ReleaseShoaibShaikh pic.twitter.com/btZeQGUOH7
— Qasim Khan Suri (@QasimKhanSuri) March 9, 2023
“Strongly condemn the abduction of Bol Network owner Shoaib Sheikh from Islamabad airport. The fascist Govt is following the footsteps of the Nazi dictatorship, chocking the voices of the media and pushing Pakistan towards anarchy,” President of PTI Sindh Ali Haider Zaidi said.
Strongly condemn the abduction of @BOLNETWORK owner Shoaib Sheikh from Islamabad airport.
The fascist Govt is following the footsteps of Nazi dictatorship, chocking the voices of media and
pushing Pakistan towards anarchy.— Ali Haider Zaidi (@AliHZaidiPTI) March 9, 2023
“Shoaib Sheikh was told what is the price of a talker, but like every person who stands for the truth, he is ready to pay the price. There is a limit to oppression. When it passes, then we will face the reality. And the fact is that every power has a fall. Right is the only one that is eternal,” former federal minister Murad Saeed said.
Read more: Supreme Court orders prompt decision on Axact cases
شعیب شیخ کو یہ بتادیا گیا تھا کہ جو بولی بول بول رہا ہے اسکی قیمت کیا ہے۔مگر حق کے لیے کھڑے ہر شخص کیطرح وہ یہ قیمت چکانے پر تیار ہے۔ جبر کی حد ہوتی ہے۔جب وہ گزر جائیگی تب سامنا ہوگا حقیقت سے۔ اور حقیقت یہ ہے کہ ہر طاقت کو زوال ہے۔ حق صرف ایک ہے جو لازوال ہے#ReleaseShoaibShaikh
— Murad Saeed (@MuradSaeedPTI) March 9, 2023
“Condemnable abduction of Shoaib Shaikh. Voices cannot be muzzled through threats & violence, intimidation & blackmailing. Bol Network is standing tall against all of these. If there is a crime, let the law follow its due course properly,” former Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid said.
Condemnable abduction of Shoaib Shaikh.
Voices cannot be muzzled through threats & violence, intimidation & blackmailing. @BOLNETWORK is standing tall against all of these.
If there is a crime, let the law follow its due course properly. #ReleaseShoaibShaikh pic.twitter.com/odxn1tcd2V— Dr. Yasmin Rashid (@Dr_YasminRashid) March 9, 2023
“Strongly condemn illegal detention of Shoaib Sheikh, we all know, he is being victimised for keeping BOL free and fair for coverage. Blatant attack on freedom of the press & Human Rights,” former SAPM Sayed Zulfi Bukhari said.
Strongly condemn illegal detention of Shoaib Sheikh, we all know, he is being victimised for keep BOL free and fair for coverage. Blatant attack on freedom of press & Human Rights. https://t.co/GqcDqsw3w0
— Sayed Z Bukhari (@sayedzbukhari) March 9, 2023