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.
@Daktar and Kashmiri guy:
Dr. Shahid did not become PTV chairman and infact his programme has once again been banned by Mush and Zaradari. Check your facts before accusing someone please! It is true that government offered him that post in order to bribe him but he refused.
I don’t know why we start commenting on things before even verifying specially certain Kashmiri folks.
Dr. Shahid Masood has been appointed Chairman of PTV and Murtaza Solangi head of Radio Pakistan. I have nothing against the two people but this trend personal appointments rather than institutional merit-based rise cannot be good for the institutions of Pakistan.
@ Dr Shahid Massod deserves PTV, nicely said,
I will say, ” jithon di khotti, othay an khaloti “
Good news for Dr. Shahid Masood , he will very soon apppinted as Chairman of PTV. He deserved it.
Congratulation him from me.
Highly Esteemed Sir,
With due regards, from a credible source I have learnt about a vacancy in Accounts & Finance Department under your kind control. I am applying for the post of Accounts Executive. I am a commerce graduate and doing my MBA (Banking & Finance) final semester which is completed with in two months. I have also 5 years experienced in Accounts & Finance.
I have worked at various levels in the Accounts & Finance department details of which are mentioned in my enclosed CV.
If I got an opportunity to join your prestigious organization I assure you of my hard work and I will do my best to carry out my duties with interest, devotion and sincerity.
Thank you in anticipation.
Yours Faithfully,
Khawaja Aleem Ahmed.
Please can you put things to do with kakra town which is in pakistan next to mirpur. I want news eople to put khabra to do with kakra town.Its were i live. Thank you.
The news media was not responsible. It’s as simple as that. News channels are supposed to give the facts, the hosts and interviewers are supposed to be objective and unbiased, and news coverage must always be two sided. THis is exactly what our private news channels were NOT doing. Their guests would openly speak un tactfully about the president, supporters of the Musharraf regime were never invited or atleast cut off everytime they began to defend a policy or figure and worst of all, our media comprised of mainly negative criticism which was giving a bad name and picture to the world about our country. People started making another fuss on the conditions that were layed out to the media before re-transmission, completely ignoring the FACT that all channels around the world follow some principles and rules that make them objective and ethically correct.
i just want to say that independence of media is vvv imp for any nation, but media must also be vv resposible, as media change the mood and direction of nation. The requirement is to create a hatred against people who are killing innocent people and try to save the image of our Pak Army. Standing on the wall and defend is very difficult and v easy to comment rubbish. I think death of Turkish women is important but why media ignore the death of FC soldiers and just run a slide that FC people died in an attack. Why they destroying the image of Pak Army. …. and ….. agencies may may may can use this media to weak our nation.