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.
The Govt of Nawa and Benazir has come in power two time but unfortunately they didnot concentrate and attention on the development of country as practice can be seen in the govt of Ayub Khan (Industrial Revloution) and Pervez Musharaf (Karachi infrastructure, Education, IT), It is also right Musharaf Govt full of risk for sake of Islam and country properity in the name of Allah, Ameen faheem and qaim ali shah is not a person who may run the govt nor Chodhry shujaat or liaqat jitoi. here should be wellcome like a Aitezaz Ahsan who come in front line by his on arms not on behalf of others shoulder.
Salaam i heard about ur news channel and virtually ur new channel is doing an exquisite job.i want to draw ur attention towards Dailywages of WASA Quetta who are being mentally tormented and living their lives in immense compulsion,including me,because i am also a laborer(dailywage).
My name is Haider Ali.i am 22 years old and i have done my FA.because of lack of jobs as a dailywage of WASA i started my job 3 years ago.At that time our salary was only 2300 rupees which was given us after two months or three months or uncertain date.
As a dailywages we have to work 7 hours but some times under pressure of our supervisors we have to work 9 or 10 hours a day,their is no sunday no friday,even we have to work on sunday and friday no holyday. if we remain absent only for a day,we will be kicked out of our jobs thus there is no security of our jobs..
My whole detail ,story and request,is written below and its my extrem request to read it only for once it is too crucial….
Distilled water is one of the important thing for our lives.In other
countries it is the most precious thing than in pakistan.In pakistan today the most crucial thing is being sold in a very low price and the people who are responsible for water suppling (daily wages) are only paid as a salary 3000 rupees,not monthly but after two months.Some
times they are only paid 2900 rupees after two months and some time uncertain date.No body wants to take action against this brutality and injustice even union leaders as well but one day the daily wages decided to raise their voice against this injustice they went to WASA office and met with MD WASA but in vain they were roughly told either to work quietly and tolerate the injustice or leave the job.
Their are some rules for dailywages.If they reject any (legal or illegal)order of their supervisors or other officers of WASA they will be kicked out of their jobs.Because dailywages are compel and have no security of their jobs.and that make supervisors and other officers to take advantage of compulsion of dailywages(laborer)
If we see as a true mumlism according to islam we will come to know the value of dialywage in Islam.it has been said.Hand over the salary (wage) of a laborer befor his sweat get dry but what about us
Prophet Muhammad said YOu are responsible for the welfare of ur servant and slave but who is responsible for our welfare.Today virtually if we go to bazaar for buying something we will come to know that prices are touching the sky.if a dailywage of WASA goes for shoping to bazaar and he buys only floor bag with 2000 rupees,will he be able to run his whole expenses only with 1000 repees beside floor their is oil,meat, rice , bills of electricity,bills of gass,medical expenses,clothe, rent of house,educational expenses, vehicle fares,and many more expenses.is it justice with a poor laborer(daily wage)
Today terrorism is increasing why? because of unemployment and compulsion.terrorist Organizations offer the poor person,like me,if you join us we will take responsiblity of your welfare your family welfare.and in compulsion a poor person becomes a terrorist.Should i also join the terrorist organization ?
Today Pakistani government is blemishing India,Aganistan and extremist religion organizations that they are responsible for terrorism but i say Pakistani Government itself is making terrorists,the Government compel the poor person to be a terrorist.pakistani Governemnt might be trying to diminish poverty but in reality she is trying to remove poor.
My other balorer friends who are working with me some of them have been working for 4 years 5 years and 6 years but they have still working as a dailywages they have not been become regular.sometime they fed up with their circumstances and become emotional and talk to commite suicide.Do a poor person deserve it ? Is it justice with a poor person ? i am not saying give us 10000 Rs or 12000 rupess i am only saying that whatever we deserve, give us,do justice. i need justice not only for me but for all laborer(dailywages) of WASA Quetta.
Hamid Mir is back on Geo Tv. Looks like media is being freed step by step. I hope Dr. Shahid Masood is allowed to do his program soon.
I hope that now when the elections results are in, media curbs will also be lifted. We want to see our favorite anchors back on news channels.
Aitzaz Ahsen has been freed I believe? What about judges?
Free media refuses to act free and fair;
BBC Urdu
http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/pakistan/story/2008/02/0 80204_ahmadi_persecution_ra.shtml
Government wants private TV channels to be controlled by them. They want to make TV channels like PTV!
nothing can be said in a country where these kind of things n powers are oprational
pakistan was pakistan but now no more pakistan
no one is safe no one is free n no one is allowed to say the truth
the ban on GEO NEWS is no more than to forbay the truth to be open
just to hide truth and to make the lie rule rule n rule all over pakistan
but here i must say:
US QOM KO SHAMSHIR KI HAJAT NAHIN REHTI
HO JIS K JWANO MEIN KHUDI SURAT-E-FOLAD
What are you guys, Traitors to Pakistan. Instigating people to do things against our beloved country and it’s current President.
This country educated you and brought you to this level, and you folks talk BS.
You all instigators should be ashamed of your of yourselves.