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.
Bitter – Can you please divulge into it’s details (the new ordinance that is)?
New ordinance by Mush will also cover internet !!
Get ready for information blackout !!
[quote post=”727″]Why do you think only the opposition speaks on the media and never the govt,[/quote]
yeah, Arbab Rahim,Wasi Zafar,Durrani and ahmed Raza qasoori belong to opposition.
Saad, there may be indeed no moral victory in telling the world that your dad beats your mom but there would certainly be a very real and tangible victory in saving such a woman from this kind of a fate. Because ultimately it is not about the sanctity of marriage as an institution but about the emotional and physical well being of people within that marriage.
The marriage (like the country) was created for the benefit of the parties who choose to live within it. If the situation reaches a point where it starts becoming detrimental rather than beneficial, we should try to save it, in the case of marriage by hiring the services of a therapist perhaps, in the case of nations an active civil society, media or whoever else is concerned about the people’s well being. But if despite these attempts nothing works out both the marriage and the country can move towards an utter breakdown.
What you are suggesting is a marriage where both parties suffer deeply but keep up a certain face to project to the world. Where inside the house people fling plates at each other, damage their children psychologically—but outside the house they project a fake image. The best idea to me seems to be to bring the trouble out in the open and deal with it, hiding never helped anyone.
God have mercy on this country and give sense to its rulers i.e. Generals.