Pakistan's establishment newspaper

The paper is widely read in Pakistan

From humble beginnings in pre-partition India, Jang has grown into the most widely-read newspaper in Pakistan, with Urdu-language editions in four cities as well as an international edition published in London.

The Jang group - the biggest publishing group in Pakistan - also has an English-language sister paper known as the News, as well as weekly magazines in both Urdu and English.

The paper was founded by Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman in Delhi, but it moved to Karachi after the creation of Pakistan in 1947.

Jang has a broad readership, ranging from members of the ruling elite to ordinary people on the street.

It also has a history of pioneering newspaper production in Pakistan - it was the first to introduce colour printing and to use computer-generated Urdu publishing.

Pro-government

The paper is broadly pro-establishment. But it has had its clashes with the authorities, notably in the early 1960s when it backed a pro-democracy candidate against the then military ruler, General Ayub Khan.

It can be subject to pressure as some of its advertising revenue comes from the government or government-owned bodies, although it does get revenue from other sources.

The paper has supported President Musharraf's pro-US stand in the current crisis over Afghanistan.

However, it has also given space to columnists who disagree with the official stance, and who reflect the widespread disquiet among ordinary Pakistanis with the US-led campaign.

It is not clear whether its pro-government editorial stance or simply the fact that its the most-widely read paper in Pakistan made Jang a target for the letter which its editor said contained anthrax spores.