Mohsin Jamil Baig: Journalists start new debate as FIA takes action
Journalists have started a debate over Mohsin Jamil Baig of whether he is a journalist or a government servant following his arrest by FIA.
Journalists have started a debate over Mohsin Jamil Baig of whether he is a journalist or a government servant following his arrest by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
Following the complaint of Federal Minister Murad Saeed, FIA cybercrime cell had arrested Mohsin Jamil Baig during a raid in Islamabad yesterday which sparked a new debate amongst the journalists of whether Baig was a journalist or a government-sponsored media personality.
Kamran Yousaf wrote on Twitter, saying that Mohsin Baig was actually the owner of a news agency but not a journalist who has any experience of fieldwork.
محسن بیگ ایک نیوز ایجنسی کے مالک ہیں اور کوئی صحافی نہیں جس کا فیلڈ کا تجربہ ہو۔ صحافیوں کی اکثریت ایسی ہے جو تین وقت کی روٹی کے لیے وقت پر تنخواہ آنے کا انتظار کرتی ہے اور شاید ایسے صحافیوں کی اتنی سکت بھی نہیں کہ وہ ایک کھلونا پستول بھی خرید سکیں!
— Kamran Yousaf (@Kamran_Yousaf) February 16, 2022
Yousaf further said that majority of the journalists used to wait for their salaries then how would they think about purchasing a toy weapon.
Murtaza Solangi took side of Mohsin Jamil Baig, criticising that a media personality was taken to the anti-terrorism court and later he was sent on three-day remand to police.
What a mockery! Mohsin Baig, a media person is taken to an anti-terrorist court and handed over to police on a three day remand while they negotiate peace deals with the real terrorists.
— Murtaza Solangi (@murtazasolangi) February 16, 2022
He added that the action was taken on a time while the government is negotiating peace deals with the real terrorists.
Asma Shirazi said, “FIA arrested journalist and critic of PTI government Mohsin Baig this morning from his house. Government attacking critical voices, It’s highly condemnable.”
FIA arrested journalist and critic of #PTI gvt Mohsin Beig this morning from his house.Government attacking critical voices,It’s highly condemnable #JournalismIsNotACrime @CPJAsia @IFJGlobal @ifjasiapacific
— Asma Shirazi (@asmashirazi) February 16, 2022
Ahmad Noorani tweeted, “How a regular government servant with a pensionable job can be a journalist? Mohsin Baig is a regular ISI official serving the organization for the last thirty years. He headed many ISI projects including Online news agency. How he can be termed as a journalist?”
How a regular government servant with a pensionable job can be a journalist? Mohsin Baig is a regular ISI official serving the organization for the last thirty years. He headed many ISI projects including Online news agency. How he can be termed as a journalist?
— Ahmad Noorani (@Ahmad_Noorani) February 16, 2022
Hamid Mir wrote on Twitter, “This is Mohsin Baig arrested in Islamabad. When Imran Khan was in opposition, Baig was very close to him. When Khan became PM he not only started losing friends but converting them into enemies.”
This is #MohsinBaig arrested today in Islamabad. When @ImranKhanPTI was in opposition Baig was very close to him. When Khan became PM he not only started losing friends but converting them into enemies. pic.twitter.com/a1ou7lGgBa
— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) February 16, 2022
This is #MohsinBaig arrested today in Islamabad. When @ImranKhanPTI was in opposition Baig was very close to him. When Khan became PM he not only started losing friends but converting them into enemies. pic.twitter.com/a1ou7lGgBa
— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) February 16, 2022
Yesterday, a sessions court in Islamabad gave its verdict on the petition filed by Mohsin Jamil Baig against his detention.
The court declared the FIA raid illegal in its five-page written verdict which read that FIA had registered an FIR against Mohsin Jamil Baig at 9:00 pm, whereas, the agency has no power to conduct a raid at his residence.
Moreover, FIA had also arrested Mohsin Jamil Baig’s son Hamza Baig for resorting to firing at FIA officials.
Analysts said that journalists should take a final decision first regarding Mohsin Jamil Baig of whether he is a journalist or not to go ahead with a joint strategy for a campaign for his release or to support action against him.
