Darwaish
UPDATE: Nov. 3, 2007: Emergency Declared in Pakistan.
UPDATE: Nov. 4, 2007: Media Gagged. Listen to Geo News here.
In my last post, I mentioned that Electronic Media is under siege and many programs are likely to be banned. But I was not expecting it to happen so soon. Geo News transmission have been completely shut down in most parts of the country and Aaj TVvhas disappeared from my cable at least (WorldCall Cable, Lahore).
I don’t know if Aaj TV has been completely banned or not. It happened while I was watching Dr. Shahid Masood’s Mere Mutabiq. Muslim League (Q)’s own Vice President Kabir Wasti was strongly criticizing General Musharaf, holding him responsible for the judicial crises when suddenly Geo News was shut down. I thought that its a temporary ban and transmission will be back as soon as Dr. Shahid’s program is over but its been several hours now and still no signs of Geo or Aaj coming back on my cable. A friend of mine sent me this SMS from Karachi that Geo News disappeared from most parts of the Sindh around 8 o clock too during Imran Khan’s interview in another program Jawab De.
Geo News website has this to say:
The government has blocked the transmission of the Geo News TV channel across the country due to the reasons best known to them. The viewers calls flooded the Geo office to ask that why the transmission of Geo News TV channel was suddenly suspended when the famous programme, “Meray Mutabik” was going on air.
The calls from the viewers were received from various parts of the country. According to Geo News sources the government has blocked the transmission of the Geo News. Geo transmission was blocked in various parts of Islamabad, Lahore, Hyderabad, Karachi and other areas. The citizens, social and political circles have condemned the ban on transmission of Geo News and they have demanded of the government to immediately lift ban on the transmission of the Geo News and give complete freedom to media in the country.
I am unable to understand why this step has been taken but lets wait and see the official reason which will surely be Afwaje Pakistan ke khilaaf baat ki gaye hai. I suspect the title of Dr. Shahid’s program Idaro Ka Takrao – Fatah Kiski Ho Gi (Clash of Institutions – Who Will be Victorious) must have caused concerns among people sitting in Information Ministry aka Mr. Ghalat Biyani.
Whatever government says but I thought it was a very interesting program and a healthy discussion going on when some wise men decided to shut it down. I hope the ban is lifted soon and government shows some common sense. Like they say in Urdu, Kuch Hosh Ke Nakhun Lo Bhai. Whatever happened to those free media and freedom of press claims :). This is yet another direct attack on freedom of expression and truly a shameful act and should be strongly condemned. I am afraid Dr. Shahid Masood will be in trouble once again for not being afraid, for speaking his mind and saying what is in hearts of millions of ordinary Pakistanis.
All this argument over a measly ATP poll? Are you kidding me? The poll on this blog means nothing. It cannot be accepted as true representation of opinion. Guys, give me a break and go take a class in Elementary Statistics and Polling.
37% of vote is for the proposition of:
[quote]We WILL have elections under President Musharraf, as planned.[/quote]
It is neither for nor against Musharraf. It is simply in favour of the proposition. Some of the voters may be in favour and some others against Musharraf, but the majority may be those of cynics and the realists.
[quote comment=”51722″][quote comment=”51697″]what happened to Musharraf? He used to be a courageous, intelligent fellow. Now he has degenerated into a foolish despot, damaging institutions and hurting people just to keep himself in power.[/quote]
That is the problem with us pakistanis. we make heroes out of boots and are then surprised to see that they have no brains. people all over the world decided a long time ago that if they had to have idiots as leaders, it was better to have representative idiots rather than despotic idiots.[/quote]
Brilliantly put. I agree 100%.
I hated Musharraf from day 1. We are human beings, not cattle. We have a right to choose whoever we want to govern us. I would take even a corrupt politician like BB over musharraf any day. At least I can vote her out. Those who supported musharraf and are still doing so are mostly the ones who always complain about politicians but never bother to vote themselves.
[quote comment=”51792″][quote]Just a word of advice…if you’re not a U.S. citizen, do not do anything like that…there are laws which bar us nonimmigrants from taking part in politics. [/quote]
I am not aware of any bar on writing a letter to a US Senator or a Congressman or even to the president. Writing a letter and taking part in US politics are two different things. Aren’t they?[/quote]
Well, I’m not sure myself. The thing is that there definitely are laws that bar participation in internal affairs. Now, how do we define internal affairs…I don’t know about you, but I would not like to have that debate with the INS.
Taking into account the speed with which things are diteriorating in Pakistan, how long would it take before we see public floggings of journalists for carrying out ‘anti-state’ activities? Gen Zia is back!