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.
Are these channels representing Pakistan and our region or is it
a foreign channels showing their segments in our skin.?? i.g. why there is never a detailed series of Indus valley civilisation which is territorially situated within Pakistan, defending Pakistani authentic food out side in Europe or America, is not it
a shame that the whole world talks only of India and her culture, when they talk about the origins of navigation, they say
it started in river sind, thats it , where is river sind, never. etc.
Pakistan’s channels are not at all on their utmost, quality of the segments are very low, stupid dramas, horrible Urdu, 80% english mixed,subjects propogandists, political immaturity,of course western “style”, but unfortunately Azadi “pacch” nehien
rehi hey, as they
Did anyone see the great debate on Geo? Govt. lawyer Ahmed Qusuri used so much abusive language that I can’t believe he is a barrister. People get ready to face Wasi Zafar Part II. lol
Media is just having fun, ridiculing politicians and their blunders. Its all just ways of making money thru namak mirch.
We should thank Musharaf for all the freedom he has given to media. The way Geo\’s program Ham Sab Umeed Se Hein and other channels ridicule top government officials including the president is amazing. Before 1999, nobody would have even dare to do things like they do now like Musharaf singing qawali with his cabinet. And who has given this to Pakistan? A so called non-democratic army chief, who is also the president. People will realize this after he is gone. Just wait.