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.
Kruman
and it is about time…
I agree with your views about this blog. Great forum but too much censorship….At times you actually feel like being on Geo TV after the restrictions….
Kawa1,
Buddy I have decided to start my own blog:
http://kruman17.livejournal.com/
While I really like this forum, the management is too intent on staying politcally correct, for my taste at least, no offence intended moderators.
Peace!
i leanred last night that live talk shows have also been shut down after live coverage. our media owners have proved to be a big disappointment.
You will find this interesting. Changing role of Pakistani media
Mush in his 12th Mar address to hired crowd rolled his fists and said that we will now respond force with force in Karachi (this while MQM was killing people like rabbits…).Little did he know that everything will be exposed with such clarity. MQM had guaranteed him that no witnesses and trace will be left to lead fingers back to them. that is why police cars were used to distribute ammunition..
We have all heard Altaf Hussain being critical of everyone in Pakistan of all ethnic origins but again nobody should be critical of him… that is unacceptable. Geo might show “Hum Sub ummed Sa Haan” and ridicule everyone but no, no, no…not Peer Sahib!!! Media should and can be as free as it wants to be except don’t show incidences like Karachi killings (show it if it happens any where else or any other party involved in it) or don’t do Mush bashing or do not ridicule Altaf Hussain (see what happened to DAWN group for being negative on Peer sahib personality? Mush did not give them TV license …)
They will make sure that media gives uncensored news if they are guaranteed that it will be all about ridiculing the opposing forces without showing their filth.
The current censorship is not really because of lawyers speeches in the Supreme Court against the army. The only army Mush cares about is himself. In fact it is in his interest that other Generals get/remain defamed so that he continues to justify his role as the only acceptable General. That excuse was just to find a reason which could be a little bit acceptable to the nation. The real reason and one which haunted Mush was that media exposed the reality about MQM and Altaf by airing live coverage/killings being done by MQM that shocked the nation. Mush has being portraying MQM as a secular/liberal party for last 7 years. That was too much for him to gulp as it has created and stirred quiet discontent among senior military leadership. The nation thinks (or at least idiots like Ijaz or Chaudry’s) think that PML (Q) is Kings party. In reality MQM is kings party and their leader hand in hand with Mush.
PML (Q) is just to do the dirty work for the General or to be used as an escape goat when things go wrong!!
Why do you think Mush is currently upset with PML (Q)? Because Chaudry’s played smart for once and refused to share any responsibility of Mar 12th or try and deflect blame away from MQM. Smart move!!
Daktar,
As private citizens with no vested interests we’ll just root for the bold TV channels who have the balls to defy government pressure. Aaj took the first step forward after the draconian pemra ordinance by airing delayed speeches of the CJP in Multan and Sahiwal.
It is the duty of every Pakistani citizen who believes in freedom of expression to support Aaj so that other channels follow suit. We also want Aaj to take the next step forward and start airing the speeches of CJP’s lawyers as well.