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.
hi,
i am very like to see geo news. i know you will be back soon. Best of luck for furtur. i like Shahid Masood’s program so much. Musharraf wants to kill truth but he fails very soon .
God help our country,
thanks
we didnt hated musharaf untill what he has done to the country and its people and to the media. its totally unacceptable what he has done to us by taking away the freedom of speech and taking away such an important source of news,entertaint and lots more for the pakistanies living outside pakistan and the people living with in the country.
this is our leadership which says that we r the most democrecy holders in pakistan .i ask the musharaf that if this is democrecy?shem shem on musharaf u r not a gentel man this is a big shem on our country all over the world go musharaf go we not want u a single second ok .geo tum sada sall geo tv
@BB da Laal Awami Inqilab,
BB lutt machai ja
BB Dhong Rachai ja
Sharifa’n no lamay pai ja
US nal Sauday kari ja
Mush nal pehla’n pai ja
Seculari apni jamai ja
Awam no’n dhokay dai ja
Surkhyan no’n maal phrai ja
UNO OIL FOR FOOD tay
lokan no’n phodu banai ja
Jumhorian nal Pechay pai ja
Shaitani hurbay larai ja
Tay Emergency lugwai ja
Up till recently, We in the UK did not think much of Pakistani tv programmes as everyone seems to mimick western mannerism and they think its cool which is a double whemy. However, what a refreshing change GEO had brought. Wonderful programmes on current affairs, great analysis and superbly brave and daring journalism. I think two things are absolute must for Pakistan to get somewhere - free media and free judiciary. Without these you can have the sham domocracy of Musharraf and his incompetent ministers and it would not make much difference at all. Geo Geo, Geenay do Musharraf
PLEASE NO NEED TO WORRY WE ALLL WILL BE BACK(INSHALLAH)…..I PRAY FOR YOU…AND INTERNATIONAL PEOPLE ARE WITH YOU WHERE EVER YOU GO…
GEO NEWS YOU ARE THE BEST OF ALLL
“GOD WILL HELP US AAMIN”
I THINK I COUGHT IN PRISON
INSHALLAH TRUTH WILL RISE
Having viewed Geo News coverage and distasteful mocking of General Musharraf, journalists need to understand basic respect like Islam recommends and not be reporting ’spin’ and giving coverage to individuals disagreeing for the sake of it, like in Western nations.
Geo must respect Gen Musharraf as Head of State, during this intense period of change and pressure. Frankly the other candidates on offer have showed their true colours and are not even worthy of consideration nevermind attending a demonstration for.
As someone who has lived in UK, within democracy for 40 years, i know it is a falacy and true freedom of speech is always dampened down by Governments, in anycase. Society here is at malfunction stage, through conditioning using the media and so called freedom of speech.
Please use now start using Geo resources to positive effect and be rid of the incessant culture of corruption within almost all institutions. If not reversed it will cost the Pakistan economy dearly through lack of foreign investors which potentially exist in droves within UK, whilst other neighbouring nations strive forward. You are lucky - you have natural resources in abundance, but talented people being distracted by this freedom of speech thing, AND not proper islam.
Democracy as an idealogy can not compete against proper Islam (and not the one being paraded in most of Pakistan at the moment), but must be subservient to it. Sometimes stating the obvious can be a good wake up call, if it is stated by someone from the outside.
Jeena Do General.