By Darwaish
Another unfortunate development of the day and I am unable to understand who is advising government of making such foolish decisions.
It seems now that the Government of Pakistan has banned Kamran Khan Show as yet another casualty in the ongoing saga of the Chief Justice of Pakistan’s (CJP) removal from office. Geo has just made it public and Kamran Khan appeared on Geo News just a few moments ago and apologized to viewers that he would not be able to present his show due to this ban (audio of what he said, here).
It was Kamran Khan Show in which Mr Wasi Zafar’s misbehavior on VOA was reported (video of that program here). He was also the host of Geo’s live transmission which showed and commented on the misbehavior with Chief Justice of Pakistan and his family last Monday. I guess Kamran Khan has finally paid the price of speaking the truth and his efforts to present facts to the people of Pakistan.
GEO TV website has this information on how the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has banned this show:
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has imposed ban on “Aaj Kamran Khan Key Sath”, the famous programme of Geo Television Network.
“Aaj Kamran Khan Key Sath” has been stopped as the government has imposed ban on it, said the spokesman of the Geo Television Network.
It was regretted at 11:05 PM, when this programme starts daily, that the programme could not be aired due to government ban.
Reacting to the ban on this programme, Kamran Khan, the host of the programme, condemned the government action and said that there was no other agenda of the said programme except making people aware of real facts and correct analysis.
This is a direct attack on freedom of press and freedom of expression. Looks like we will now see more bans if Pakistani Media didn’t cooperate with the government. I am also wondering what will happen to the Ansaar Abbasi now. We should all condemn this unjust action? But HOW?
Here are two samples of video clips from the Kamran Khan Show related to this issue.
Here is GEO’s own report on the attack on its office.
Message from Altaf Hussain on attack on GEO office.
Hamid Mir interviews Gen. Musharraf on the attack.
With all that has happened in the last week, if the government survives now, it will be very bad for the country. A lot of other things such as poor governance etc we are used to, but when a government tries to use police state tactics, then its further continuation becomes very dangerous.
It won’t be just a one off situation, if Musharraf gets away with it, he will be willing to do it again and again.
Disciple, I think these are links of the same chain. It boils down to State oppression and subjugation of the people.
MQ, I did see Big Arm i.e. Wasi Duffer wimpering on TV apologizing. I am sure he has been put up to it. But I hope that his head rolls.
If everyone is making so much noise for attack on Geo but not on manhandling of CJ then we are certainly a nation of tamash-beens and not people who seek justice. Insaaf hu na hu tamasha huna chaheey.
The Supreme Judicial Council has put a ban on commenting on the events, and also reporting on SJC procedeeings. But this ban was not applicable to the government and its is most obedient servants. That’s why the big m durrani, and the black m arbab rahim, Sindh CM, could make derogatory remarks about the person of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP).
The big m durrani is more vocal but less knowledgeable person like many other trashes gathered by musharraf to linger on his reign. Aitezaz Ahsan rightly said on a TV channel in front of millions that, durrani is “ignocent”, ignorent plus innocent. He is continuously herping on one thing “khudara”, don’t cry for only one judge (the CJ), also think for other 5 judges (the member of SJC), they also desreve the respect (who are showing disrespect to them?).
Anyway, coming to the point: this directive of SJC has made all TV anchors and presenters shaky and shiverring. They have been taking advice from the retired judges. All of them have given clear advice to the journalists. They have also said that, it is unconstitutional to gag the journalists.
Even then, our newsmen are quite afraid. Today they are not reporting about the Councils proceedings, but are saying that “we have restriction upon us imposed by SJC about reporting, so we can report on this issue.”
Why are they accepting the ban, the portion of which are ultra vires the constitution? Why do not they say that, “we do not accept the unconstitutional part of the directive”. Why are the showing such fear, when they are bearing the brunt of naked police aggression?
Will my friends, all here and every where except the men with “manners”, please encourage our journalists not accept the ban that is unconstitutional, and also tell the issuing authorities that, “you are crossing your limits in violating constitutions. “??
Did anyone watch the law minister on TV this morning apologizing to Ansar Abbasi for what he had said to him on the VOA? He really looked like a trapped mouse.
Eidee Man,
I was not speakng - I was typing. You doent know the diffrunc? Are you suppositry of CJ? Or are yur tears du to tear gass? Oh my gots, Khir to youse and khir to Pakistn.
Furthrmur, 13 constabils had been arristd today - they was culprut on their own account. Case of Geo is therefour sulved. Now drop this nonimpotent issue and moveon.org.
Eidee mubarakee to youse, Eidee Hombree.
“Lathi charge tu ISB may huwa hay but lagta asar tumara dimagh par huwa hay”
-Adnan siddiqi
Adnan Siddiqi, please we already have one wasi zafar so we don’t need another one.
Here is a video by BBC Urdu about Police attack on Geo TV. http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/pakistan/story/2007/03/0 70316_jeo_attack_fz.shtml