Geo and ARY news blocked in Karachi and other urban parts of Sindh. Time for MQM as well as hostile media acnhors to pause and reflect...

Geo and ARY news blocked in Karachi and other urban parts of Sindh. Time for MQM as well as hostile media acnhors to pause and reflect... Let us listen to Khusnood Ali Khan as well as Salman Taseer:


PM orders probe into blocking of TV channels (The Post, 18 Nov 2008)

Agencies

ISLAMABAD: Condemning all forms of restrictions on private television channels, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani expressed strong resolve of his government to repeal all black laws affecting the freedom of expression.

Talking to reporters at the airport, Prime Minister Gillani renounced restrictions on the media, and ordered PEMRA to investigate the recent banning of a local TV channel's transmission. Provincial Information Minister Shazia Marri holding cable operators responsible ordered an inquiry into the incident.

There was a chorus of indignation over the incident. PML-N leaders Mian Nawaz Sharif and others said it was continuity of black laws of former Musharraf government and demanded stern action against those responsible.

PML-Q's Chaudhry Shujaat and MQM's Faisal Sabzawari condemned the move in the strongest possible way.

A private TV channel's telecast was halted Monday in parts of the Sindh province including Karachi. When contacted, government officials denied having any knowledge.

Although blamed for the incident, cable operators refused to cite any reason for their action.

Exactly one year ago on November 17, 2007, TV channels' transmissions were shut down.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has taken serious note of suspension of the transmission of its licensed channels "Geo News" and "ARY One World" on cable TV networks in Karachi and some areas of the interior Sindh.

A statement issued here on Monday said PEMRA got the transmission restored immediately and took prompt action against the cable operators. It said that show-cause notice was issued to them and an investigation was underway.

Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ms Sherry Rehman Monday expressed concern and anguish over the blocking of Geo News' transmission in Sindh by some unscrupulous elements.

Talking to a private TV channel, she urged cable operators not to fear anybody and report about the rogue elements who threatened them and asked them to stop certain channels. She said the government believed in freedom of the press and was duty bound to protect the media. "PEMRA or any other government agency is not involved in any way in blocking the Geo network transmission in Sindh on Monday," she said.

Ssaid that on learning that the transmission of Geo had been blocked in Sindh she immediately contacted PEMRA but they denied having blocked the transmission.

She cable operators in Karachi and Hyderabad would be given full protection.

Talking about a coincidence that Geo News was banned on November 17 2007, she said Musharraf regime had targeted four to five anchors of Geo in a planned manner, whereas the People's Party has never gagged the press. She said some political forces were involved in blocking the transmission of Geo News. (The Post)

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On 17th November, Geo and ARY TV Channels tranmissions were blocked in Karachi, Hyderabad and some other urban parts of Sindh. Till now no one from Government or Media circles has openly pointed to the terrorists involved in this shameful act. This includes Geo and ARY where they hinted involvement of a political party of Karachi but could not have guts to name the culprit.

But credit goes to Daily Jinnah Editor Khushnood Ali Khan who discussed this issue very openly revealing the reasons behind this issue. Khushnood Ali Khan Says:

“Ataf Hussain had an event in London to celebrate the landmark victory of Mustafa Kamal to be delared world 2nd Best Mayor. Geo and ARY did not broadcast this event Live as per the desire of MQM Leadership that made them furious. Farooq Sattar, then ordered blocking these channels through cable operators. On contact by Chairman PEMRA Malik Mushtaq, Farooq Sattar replied that if they will not show speech of Altaf Bhai, then how (dare) they can run their channels”.

Link to Daily Jinnah article by Khushnood Ali Khan

http://www.dailyjinnah.com/?p=12794

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Read Wusatullah Khan's article on the hypocrisy of media by blaming PPP while not revealing MQM's name:


http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/pakistan/story/2008/11/081118_geo_secret_rza.shtml


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Comments:

paindoo says:

At least there is some element of truth when Salman Taseer complained that TV hosts talk nonsense and media has become monster. Clips of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer’s conversation with Atiqa Odho were also shown by the programme host Hamid Mir wherein the governor vented his anger towards the TV channels saying the media in Pakistan has crossed all limits and become a monster.

Excerpts from The News:

Salmaan Taseer said the entire country had come under the clutches of the media, as “it does not let any government work smoothly.” He went on to say that anchorpersons of these TV channels think of themselves as some godly figures. He said if they (TV anchorpersons) were in the West, they would have long been handcuffed and arrested. He said the private TV channels disseminate disinformation. He said the anchorpersons do not take care of others’ respect and talk non-sense. They made people dance in front of the camera. He said in Pakistan there are no Madhuri Dixits, Amitabh Bachans and Aishwarya Rais and that was the reason why these channels are popular among the people. The information minister however struck a different note saying her government did not believe in clamping sanctions on the media. She said there were some elements outside the government who off and on counselled it to bring the media under its control.

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Aman:

Hello All,

I think altaf hassain gives speaches so many times in a month , and they have never asked or got furious on any TV channel to brodcast his speach , than why now they will do so ? As far as the world second mayor award is concerned thats not a big deal, Mustafa Kamal has done a great job for karachi so for karachides he is already NO.1.

There is something else going around this could be molana sahib issue as hamid mir challeged moulana fazl-ur-rehman as moulana sahib calling the Jews Agents.there may be some other thing , but one could not beleive in govt stand as they do not know who gave order for this , thats what makes me confused govt has to see this issue very seriously otherwise this could lead them to another scandal , i wish all , All The Best.


piyariawam Says:
November 18th, 2008

all parties in Pakistan are not innocent. Jamaat i Islami and PPP and PML and Army and all. No one is innocent and neither is MQM. But I can tell you Paksitan can break but MQM will not they are too strong Now. To buy arms is not a crime. To use it against innocent ones is.

.... is agiants MQM and against Geo’s Kamran Khan KAy saat. Only when Nawaz Sharif was interviewed by it, They put that show on it, What kindda nonsense. No one will be allowed to play in Karachi untill MQM’s permission. Too much money involved in one place and the poeple of Karachi are behind MQM and support this Gunda Party, as all the party in Karachi is more or less the same.

People of Karachi does not trust Army , PPP and PML or any other party than MQM alone.

Just forget about MQM and forget about Karachi. Live and let live in Peace.
Chao!


alam Says:
November 18th, 2008


I watched that episdoe of CT and Hamid Mir,Irfan Siddiqui, Mazhar Abaas were all like scared to death and did not take the name of gang responsible for all this.

khipro Says:
November 18th, 2008


@piyariawam

I am totally agreed with you. This website is biased towards Sindh Urban specially Karachi. For God sake leave us, we are happy. We know better than you what is good for us and what is bad. Though i am not a big fan of MQM at all and have some serious concerns in some issues but for Sindh Urban: they are the best what i think. I was born in Hyderabad and raised in Karachi. I know the reality of Racism. As for as MQM is concerned, my and my family votes are always with MQM if they continue same performance.


justice4all Says:
November 18th, 2008

Someone will have to come forward to expose the terrorists of MQM.
Khusnood Ali Khan must be a brave man to talk about MQM.
Imran Khan was the only one we know before.

Munir Solangi Says:

With due respect i don’t agree with this claim that Pakistani media is silent against MQM.Yes media is scared and helpless but who will rescue the staffers of Geo and ARY in Karachi if theyt are attacked by MQM?

I lived in Karachi for many years and i know that how many times MQM attacked Jang and Geo.Many visitors of this website are saying that only Imran Khan can fight with MQM.With due opology Imran can fight with MQM only and only in Capital Talk of Hamid Mir.Few years ago Hamid Mir produced the film of Altaf Hussain in Delhi where he spoke against creation of Pakistan.It was a brave act og Geo but next day the channel was blocked and Geo stafeers were threatened.One of my freinds in Geo Asadullah was beaten by MQM in Nazimabad and Asadullah accused Hamid Mir for his sufferings.If Imran Khan is a real hero then he should go to Karachi and at least address a jalsa at Mazar-i-Quaid.I assure him that i will come with 200 boys from Sukhar and join his party.

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makhalil says:


“جب حکومت نے ان چینلز کی انتظامیہ سے استفسار کیا کہ وہ کم از کم یہی بتادیں کہ انہیں کس پر شبہہ ہے تو چینل انتظامیہ کا جواب تھا کہ یہ بھی حکومت ہی معلوم کرے۔

”

Look at this piece
“ایک جانب کراچی میں چینلز کی نشریات میں خلل ڈالنے والوں کا نام تک نہ لینا اور دوسری جانب نشریاتی خلل اور گورنرسلمان تاثیر کی خبر کو ایک ساتھ نمایاں کرنا ایسا ہی ہے جیسے کمہار پر بس نہ چلے تو گدھے کے کان اینٹھ دیئے جائیں ”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/pakistan/story/2008/11/081118_geo_secret_rza.shtml

Enjoy the ‘free’ media.

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Zaigham Says:
November 19th, 2008 at 7:35 am
comment-top

MUSHTAQ MINHAS & NUSRAT JAVED:

Do you ppl remember when some of the activists of Tahir-ul-Qadir gathered outside AAJ TV office & demonstred against some comments passed by BOLTA PAKISTAN anchors against tahir-ul-qadir ???
Did u notice that how BRAVELY both the anchors talked against the protestors? Nusrat Javed was continously calling them “BALONGRAY” of tahir-ul-qadir.

NOW…Where are these anchors???

These people know that if they speak a single word against MQM, they would be KILLED…this is what we call dual standards.

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