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.
[quote post=”727″]“Parliamentary system has failed, Pakistan needs a presidential system.â€
Fakhruddin G Ibrahim Sahib on Kamran Khan
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Very sensible and mature talk by the eminent jurist, Fakhruddin G Ibrahim sahib:
– Our federation can’t survive with a presidential form of government. Ayub’s experiment with this form led to the creation of Bangladesh.
– revert back to 1973 consitution as it was on Oct 11, 1999.
– We must distinguish between army and army rule. No one is against the army, people are against army rule.
We need a sensible, mature person like him as the president, whose role according to the constitution should be non-political.
Kruman, Regarding General Naqvi, it seems that Kamraan Khan is trying to mend the fences with the govt. Yesterday, he had General Zarrar, and today him. That is 2 generals in 2 days; can he keep the pace? He is just being tactful, trying to bring the channel back. He did the same thing last time when they banned his program. After pleading on tv for a few days, the first thing he did when he came back on, was to bring Musharraf on. That was an equally lame interview; watching it I was wondering why he wasn’t following up on his questions.
Kruman, It appears that we won’t be seeing Kabir Ali Wasti again. Especially after that interview, Ch Sujaat, the perennial peacemaker, won’t be traveling to his house to bring him round to make peace with the govt. However he has done his job, and the damage is done.
Anyone watched Kamran Khan today? He had Gen (retd) Tanvir Naqvi on the program. Kamran Khan is definitely not in the same league as Talat Hussain and Shahid Masood. He let the general get away with a lot of lame statements, Talat or Shahid would’ve whipped Mr Naqvi.
Statements made by general Naqvi:
– “Lawyers movement is trying to coerce judiciary into giving a favorable decision.” Kamaran should’ve asked, “How about the president in uniform with a half million strong army? And what message did the statement from the crore commanders send?”
– “Parliamentary system has failed, Pakistan needs a presidential system.”
Kamran should ‘ve asked if army interference has played a role in this failure.
The expressed desire for a presidential system shows the delusional state Musharraf and his cronies are living in.