MQM seeks ban on Taliban’s media coverage

E-Paper | May 22, 2026

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) urged the government on Wednesday to promulgate an ordinance to restrict the print and electronic media from publishing or broadcasting any statement of the Taliban.

The MQM coordination committee appealed to the government to provide full protection to all newspaper and electronic media offices so that journalists could continue to perform their professional duties without any pressure or threat.

Addressing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid and Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif, the MQM’s committee in a statement demanded that ‘extreme and crucial steps’ should be taken to deal with the unending terrorism of the Taliban for the survival and integrity of the country.

It appealed to the owners of media outlets and editors to cooperate with the government in this regard.

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eager beaver

Feb 20, 2014 08:25am

That's a very good suggestion. In fact, these banned groups, who are known for killing innocent Pakistanis are now being treated as the legitimate party due to this mindless decision of conducting 'peace talks.' Great nations don't talk with criminals and terrorists, they simply bring them to justice. The kind of terrorists we are dealing with can only be given justice by eliminating them ruthlessly. Put a ban on any discussion or dialogue going on with the terrorists. They are not political entities. If government wants to hold dialogue with them, it should do so quietly. There should be one point agenda and that is to convince them to surrender unconditionally in front of Pakistan Army. One may hate MQM for one thousand reasons, but there is no denying the fact that whatever they demand is absolutely right.

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Jalaluddin S. Hussain

Feb 20, 2014 08:31am

The following is no solution: "...to restrict the print and electronic media from publishing or broadcasting any statement of the Taliban. We need to talk PEACE with the insurgents in a sincere manner. No ifs and buts, please.

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Furqan

Feb 20, 2014 08:59am

MQM walay chawal hain per kabhi kabhi baat achi kar jaty hain

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wizarat

Feb 20, 2014 10:03am

It is amazing that you need an ordinance to stop this free publicity by the Talibans, whereas in the US responsible journalism prevails and even ratings are secondary to national security. This is only subservient to their ideology, maybe some of the journalist and Channels are actually spokesperson for the Taliban.

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M Rafique

Feb 20, 2014 11:08am

The owners of media outlets and editors are supposed to stop coverage themselves

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benz1

Feb 20, 2014 11:30am

these men are none other than batman rank in our beloved ISI and armed forces and most probably hail from the Punjab... what a mockery of peoples wisdom and ability to see the truth!

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Iftikhar Bashir

Feb 20, 2014 11:50am

Taliban seeks ban on MQM's media coverage :)

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Khanm

Feb 20, 2014 12:27pm

I don

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Qasim

Feb 20, 2014 02:41pm

Not an MQM supporter but wholeheartedly support it. Terrorists are being provided two much space and coverage by print and electronic media. Anywhere in the world this would be considered treason but some of the rating hungry channels.

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Abdul Haseeb

Feb 20, 2014 03:24pm

LMAO............ Politics!

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Muhammed Ali

Feb 20, 2014 04:03pm

Every brutal crime these animals commit should be shown in full color, everyone (well almost everyone) can see the writing on the wall, we cannot give them what they are demanding they will not stop killing innocent people, they need to be blasted away from the face of the Earth..

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Syed

Feb 20, 2014 05:16pm

I think this is a very valid demand of MQM as these banned organization are getting free coverage from the media. The more they are shown in the media the more illiterate people will fall in their trap because they are playing the card of religion. For God sake these are banned organisation they should not be allowed to air their views. Even in most civilised society these are not allowed why in our country they are on the top of the NEWS. Please I request all electronic media to boycott them as they are our enemy number one.

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raj

Feb 20, 2014 05:22pm

MQM we salute you, people only hate you because their minds have been brain washed by the propaganda they have been fed by certain media and oponent political parties and their supporters. One should see the right policies and professionalism of a true liberal party whose forefathers have sacrificed to build Pakistan.

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Feb 21, 2014 01:02am

I don't agree with MQM on many things, however, this is just a common sense that every patriotic journalist should avoid any coverage of the terrorists statement. Had we let the army done it's job, we wouldn't be in this predicament. Terrorists statement are nothing more than propaganda and fear mongering. Anybody knowingly assisting terrorists in this respect should be considered part of the terrorist organization and should be treated accordingly. It was pathetic and shameful to see the Lal Masjid operation being broadcast live. Had the news media lost its mind in this regard?

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M.asif

Feb 21, 2014 07:48am

It's absolutely vital now for survival of pakistan to be united behind our brave armed forces as one nation And deal with this ruthless murders of innocent people of pakistan with full force. And at the same time banned all their statements from the media .it is also important for pakistan to bring back the death penalty to deal with these murderers rather then keeping them in the jails. May Allah keep people of pakistan and pakistan safe .

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Roxana R

Feb 21, 2014 03:07pm

@Qasim: I'm all for showing what the Taliban do, not what they say.

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