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.
yeh billi choohey ka khail kab khatam hoga,yeh kahan hamari kismat………….
president MUSHARRAF is to be saluted for maintaining the freedom of electronic media.ALTHOUGH geo news is suspended from hours “a true example of freedom” so what else we want.this is PRESIDENTS OWN TYPE OF FREEDOM.
this action show there is no constitute i ask government why this action takes palace
How weird is this. All the electronic media is down. It seems to me that the general doesn’t want to hear a bad word against himself. His address to the nation was so patronising. He should quit, but that is not likely. Either way, he has landed himself into a huge hole, and I can’t wait to see how he is going to get himself out of this one.
The free media balckout is reaily Frustrating. I am sure it will Adversely effect the cable business- am off to purchase a dish antena and ensure to have it install it inside my overhead tank as I am also sure of the fact that soon houses will be raided for having satelite antennas and watching GEO TV. Dr. Shahid Masoods comparision to Raza Shah’s last period- I would say it is totally possible that the terms like free media and names like Dr Shahid Masood will expunged officially as the Shah did to Dr Mussadiq.
Kruman we would like to believe in the power of people’s pressure hope it works! but it will be the last try
Trying to keep positive!
this is a acat of loseing comander this not over pakistan .this a masharf pakistan
This is a very shameful decision of self made so called President Musharraf. He has disrupted the political process and thrown the country to Marial Law. Dear Fellows Martial Law has been imposed in the name of Emergency. Now the Public of Pakistan should resist by all means and throw Musharraf and his allied Army Generals out of power and send them to trial for their acts.
I AM VERY ASHAMED BE A PAKISTANI WHY MUSHARAF DOING BAD PLZ NOT SO GREEDY MAN U ALSO ANSWER AGAINT ALLAH