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.
I fully agree with Mr. Imran Khan’s statement that Musharraf has committed treason for the second time .
hello i am from jhelum i want to say that in jhelum the transmition of geo ARY AAJ CNN BBC AND SKY NEWS IS BLOCKED
I think these are the last breaths of musharaf rule as he has commited a very big blunder
We see geo in middle east very clear, there are no clouds. I think geo should start its own web streaming from now on.
We pray for this country to get it rid of such rulers………..
I have read some of the comments above and now I would like to present my comments.
I watch GEO all the time and specially the way things are going right now in Pakistan. I would like to ask from Geo channel and specially that Dr. you is commenting on situations scince morning, did you find one person ever who can support the Gen Musharraf and his goverment. Why you are showing interveiws, discussions and photos and comments of all those people who are against the present Govt. Is there a political link between Geo and opposition parties. Did any body in your institution ever go to a media learing schools, done political scince or have a decency to show both openions. I think you are taken advantage of your media licence. You need to be shut down compeltely.
Dr Shahid thank u for sittinging for hours on geo along with other reporters takng us through the worsening situation in Pakistan. Today I am ashamed that my country is ruled by someone who is not only a bitter loser but also a boot licker of the states.I want to ask people of Pakistan to wake up and stop this man who is ready to sell our integrity and break us in to pieces. May Allah helps to get rid of this malignant tumer (Musharaf) by cutting him and removing him from our land
i just wana say that poor people in pakistan are asking for justice through out their life but there is no one to listen them . look at our president he has done all that he could do in this country and is doing. being a pakistani i can just pray for pakistan. may ALLAH HELP US
MEIN SIRF KEHNA CHAHTA HOON K MR MUSHARRAF HI HUB UL WATAN REH GAYA HAI PAKISTAN MEIN.YE SUN KER HASI ATI HAI APNEY PAKISTANI HONEY PER.