QUETTA: Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch on Tuesday announced the withdrawal of cases registered against the chief executive and three other employees of a private news channel, and the formation of a committee to probe into the issue.

An FIR was lodged in Quetta against owner, executive director and the Quetta and Islamabad bureau chiefs of private news channel for showing footage of banned organisation's attack at Jinnah Residence.

The case was filed under Anti Terrorism act of 1997.

Talking on the point of order during Balochistan Assembly session, Chief Minister said that incumbent government believes in the freedom of expression and respects judiciary.

He noted that provincial government did not ask to register FIR against the private channel adding it was misunderstanding that led to case against the channel.

“We have no role in the registration of FIR and I withdrew case and constituted a committee to probe into the incident,” CM said.

He, however criticised the role of private channel for his media trial holding him responsible for an act which he never commited.