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.
Shortcut Aziz?
[quote comment=”52022″]Can you name the person who:
1. Holds a very important position in the Q government: Q league has no importance, a bunch of political whores.
2. Often dresses like a parish priest: Not sure
3. Talks like a robot: Durrani, Tariq Aziz
4. Says nothing substantial: Durrani, Tariq Aziz
5. Smiles only when his boss does: Not sure how intimate is the personal relationship between Musharraf and his bitches i.e. Durrani and Tariq Aziz.
Do you need more hints?[/quote]
[quote post=”727″] Smiles only when his boss does[/quote]
now this is very closed observation *grin*. I think most of them do same but I guess the closed match is Durrani. In ISB jalsa, he even clapped when Mush clapped.
this was sadly, something all to obvious and inevitable. mush loved the media bcoz of the way it supported him in his early days, and he nurtured it, encouraging ‘free speech’ because it encouraged the then meek and scared media to speak up against the corruption of the prev govt, hence legitimising his claim to the throne.
mush now realises that free speech can be a double edged sword.
anyone with a shred of awareness during the last few years could sense that the emboldening of the media and outspoken channels like geo and aaj would lead to a clash with the present setup. mush allowed the people to have a more and more powerful voice, but he shows us now that he never had the capacity to hear it himself.
the media has become a great power for change and recent developments in pakistan are testament to the incredible power of free speech. to speak out against apparent injustice is a jihad.
i may sound like i am overdramatising, but i really believe that these people will be remebered in history. channels like geo, aaj, and sites like pakistaniat.com have given the people a voice. even in other parts of the world like egypt, syria, or lebanon, bloggers are voicing themselves and truly affecting a change.
people like hamid mir and dr shahid masood are truly heroes in their courage, integrity and patriotism.
gone are the days of the 9 o clock ptv ‘Bhuttonama’ or ‘Nawaznama’ or ‘Musharrafnama’. the voice of the people is a force to be reckoned with!
to the people i say :
“bolnay ka mauka mila hai khul ke bolo!”
to the present and future rulers of pakistan i say:
“sach sunnay ki salahiat rakho bhai!!”
The opposition parties unfortunately played into the hands of the government . They had been waiting for an opportunity and that opportunity came during the seminar at Supreme court . The comments made were rational and the entire show gave the impression that people were playing for the television . Mr kurd i am certain would be a great lawer ,after seeing his ‘performace’ and his ability to distort facts and his lack of selfcontrol and political statemnts ,siding with the opposition
THis is a situation where ” enemy of my enemy is my friend ” does not fit . THe opposition pary are unfortunatley more corrupt then the present government . It would be a tragedy if the current setup gets replaced by the ex so called leaders. who sing a long but rarely deliver .