Defence ministry moves application against Geo TV network

Agencies Published April 22, 2014

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Defence has moved Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to take action against Geo TV network, for leveling allegations against an intelligence agency of Pakistan.

According to an official source, the application has been moved following approval from Federal Minister for Defence, Khawaja Asif under the PEMRA Ordinance 2002, section 33 and 36 to take legal action against the channel management for framing allegations on the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and its Chief, Lieutenant General Zaheerul Islam.

The network had aired a portrait of the ISI chief, alleging that he was responsible for the attack on anchor and senior journalist Hamid Mir.

The injured journalist had informed a friend, family members and the management of Geo TV, about a possible attack on him.

Mir was injured after his arrival in Karachi on Saturday when unknown gunmen opened fire on the vehicle he was traveling in near Natha Khan area on Shahrah-i-Faisal road.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had decided to constitute a three-member judicial commission to probe into the attack.

A formal request in this regard was later sent to Chief Justice Jillani to nominate three members for the commission.

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Ahmed

Apr 23, 2014 12:20am

time has come to take a serious action against Geo News

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Mujtaba

Apr 23, 2014 12:36am

Good job! No one should talk about our intelligence service

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Asad

Apr 23, 2014 12:41am

The irony is that intelligence agencies pick up people and are held without being given a chance to defend himself/herself in the court of law...And on top of that do not appear when the judges call them and still say they are the saviors of the Land of Pure....They can pick, kill or disappear people but we can't call them by name because we will be labelled traitors....

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assad

Apr 23, 2014 12:41am

There is a need to put serious regulations around the behavior of the Pakistani media. Its irresponsible, reckless and outright unprofessional.

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Aamir

Apr 23, 2014 12:53am

Geo got carried away with towing the line on accusations laid against the ISI Chief. Although a journalistic mistake, a price might still have to be paid. Wish Geo the best.

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Harmony

Apr 23, 2014 01:05am

They should be held accountable for irresponsible journalism and maligning an elite agency without evidence.

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Farukh

Apr 23, 2014 01:07am

Excellent. All anti state media channels and anchors should be punished so as to be remembered by any anti state element in the future.

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Sajid Ali Raza

Apr 23, 2014 01:18am

Our media has set up court room called studios in the name of freedom. The role of Pakistani media must be reviewed, revisited and redefined, its urgent need of the hour.

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IKE

Apr 23, 2014 01:21am

I support action against Geo.

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rez

Apr 23, 2014 01:33am

@Asad: How many people has our honorable court sentenced so far ? with the death toll of over 50,000 women children and innocent civilians not counting the law enforcement agencies,even the popular chief justice couldn't do it so who will do it when will it happen ? these so called missing people has this media ever told you a back ground story about any one of them ? why they were picked up ? these target killers bhata mafia gang war and ant state persons do you think they have two horns on their head that you would recognize them ? they are from this same society and most of the times their families do not even know that they have become victims to these heinous crime conspirators .So when they are presented in court our blind justice asks for witnesses remember wali babar and what happened to the witnesses ? they ask for evidence do these people leave evidence ? so they are set free to continue on there agenda , do you have a better suggestions my dear i and the country sure would like to hear it

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AKA

Apr 23, 2014 01:38am

@Asad: Intelligence agency never pick up people who are involved in theft of apples from their farms. People working there are literate and patriot. They work for our security and only investigate people who are directly or indirectly working against Pakistan. It seems indian text books are being taught in Pakistan now a days. The solution for the problem is that Police and Judiciary should be reformed so that internal enemies of Pakistan can be presented easily in courts through police.

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Tojo

Apr 23, 2014 01:43am

Journalists and media in Pakistan must be responsible for reporting accurate news. The ethics of journalism call for fair, thorough, unbiased correct reporting without any emotions. If the GEO TV or other journalists have violated the Code and presented unsubstantiated news, then GEO TV must be punished and closed down. Journalists have a duty to report accuracy but not be tools of anti-Government or Military Administration or play into the hands of the enemies of the State.

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Wachucha

Apr 23, 2014 02:06am

At least some action this time. GEO TV and group has been alleged by many (including some former senior employees) of following a foriegn agenda in return of significant handout to malign Pakistan Army and ISI. They have now provided a best chance for judiciary to investigate their questionable role. However, with a defence minister being a Khawaja it remains a tall order to get the truth out.

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Apr 23, 2014 02:17am

An excellent step by Pakistan. Our armed forces and intelligence institutions are the best in the world and should be respected.

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sophie

Apr 23, 2014 02:17am

The investigation of this case should be neutral without any pre concluded decision of banning GEO network. As any flaw in investigation may follow worst consequences . After all our (Citizens of Pakistan) intention is not to issue licenses of zone free activities for both . Geo and ISI needs to understand the concept of supremacy of constitution,which I am sure is completely new for them.

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Musarrat Javed

Apr 23, 2014 02:34am

It is bad move. Let face the reality. If ISI is innocent let them prove and this is normal for all those who have been alleged like this. We need a peaceful country and victim need justice. A journalist had been attack by some un-known gun man. Victim has right to point his figure towards some person or institution. Let the investigation take place and make the decision on findings.

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Shahid

Apr 23, 2014 02:45am

Defence institutions of Pakistan should be tamed of overwhelming power with no accountability to achieve progress, to achieve peace in the volatile region,and to create instituional culture that controls abuse of power At present, Pakistan defence instructions are out of the web of required cross-checks. Threatening Pakistan media will weaken Pakistan and will create right environment for future dictators to succeed.

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Tower

Apr 23, 2014 02:46am

Being a quintessential Sherlock Holmes fan I have two questions... Who wanted to silence him the most and who would have gained the most from his silence?

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jdshami

Apr 23, 2014 03:03am

Ministry of Defense should have acted sooner, however, I am glad that Kh. Asif has used his head. Look what this Gaddar Channel (GEO) is doing to our intelligence agency (one of the world's best), showing Chief's photo on their channel and accusing him of murder. One good thing has come out of it that now people know who was, has been working for India. Indian media had a ball and they did celebrate for 2 days when Geo was defaming the Chief. This Geo channel is the channel who basically investigated and informed Indian Government that Qasab was ac Pakistani National, Shane on this channel. I think the Pakistan loving people should make a example of it and tell these media wolves that the nation is UP, loves this country of ours, our political and military, ISI institutions and no man can destroy us.

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Amjad Wyne

Apr 23, 2014 03:16am

@Asad: So now you are upset that instead of taking care of Geo's management on their own, they have chosen to follow the legal route. Give them some break please. Be appreciative.

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w.shaikh

Apr 23, 2014 03:31am

@Asad: Very well said.

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Pakistani

Apr 23, 2014 03:40am

We need editorial board on each news channel which oversees all political and sensitive news before it goes on air. Geo is good channel and it should not be penalize for airing Hamid Mir's family compliant. ISI can stop airing news against itself in country but it will not able to stop truth coming out in international media.

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Faisal

Apr 23, 2014 03:44am

@Asad: Media is no innocent sheep. They are equally notorious.

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Adnaan aslam

Apr 23, 2014 03:59am

Great decision

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Moby

Apr 23, 2014 04:34am

Poor brave and courageous ISI has had it's feelings hurt ... GEO TV, please so give it a hug, it is feeling hurt.

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Hassan

Apr 23, 2014 04:52am

This is going to be another hogwash, every body knows about the marriage of convenience between PML(N) and Geo News. This is why PML(N) gets favourable coverage on Geo and Geo gets broadcasting rights for cricket where other channels are not allowed to compete. The victims of this fiasco will be the Journalists and the truth. If any one thinks that Geo really cares for poor Hamid Mir, or Government cares for the "reputation" of the ISI, he lives in a fools' paradise

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Syed Ahmed

Apr 23, 2014 05:11am

@Aamir: Lone voice in the wilderness, looks strange.

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Moneygundon

Apr 23, 2014 05:25am

what happened to freedom of speech, oops sorry, its Pakistan !!

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Rehan

Apr 23, 2014 06:07am

Are the intelligence agencies above the law? A judicial commission has been set up, let the truth come out.

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Hasan

Apr 23, 2014 06:34am

@Asad: There is a difference in critics and blame. There is no electronic media in the world behave like Pakistani media does. The time is now for accountability before its get too late.

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iqbal

Apr 23, 2014 06:35am

@Aamir: All they did was reported what mir had said before he got shot. There should be some freedom of press. They made no accusations.geo tv news is just a news they did not go to court and accused anyone.

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Nand

Apr 23, 2014 06:47am

Dictatorship in true form.

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UFO

Apr 23, 2014 07:24am

Too little, too late

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Akber

Apr 23, 2014 07:34am

Only ISI has the right to blame MQM for all the trouble on national TV, produce fake Jinnah pur maps, help form haqaqi and even supply arms through major Kaleem. Its about time to get the taste of some of their own medicine. They are not some holy cow.

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Umair

Apr 23, 2014 08:18am

Geo has carried away too far... You have to pay the price when you mess with the fabric of the society by blaming its elite intelligence agency.... No matter how they twist their tongues now, they will have to bite it in the end....

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Shams Khan

Apr 23, 2014 08:38am

@Asad:, Agreed 100%. We follow USA just to get handouts for ELITE of ARMY and Political sellouts but do not follow USA when it comes to RULE OF LAW. Our media and every one else has FREE hand to say anything and level any claim against Policeman if they err BUT every One should keep quiet when it comes to Army and it's agencies even if some of them commit grave human rights violations....

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Hashim

Apr 23, 2014 08:57am

A judicial commission for the attack on Hamid Mir. It just shows that the government and the law in Pakistan comes into action only when a VIP, a celebrity, is harmed. The life or property of a common man, the law-abiding citizen of the country, who pays his taxes, bears the brunt of the fiscal mismanagement and corruption of these celebrities and VIPs, has no value or weight. Thousands have been killed in Karachi in similar incidents, thousands in drone attacks, but they were no celebrities, so they were not important. Their lives did not matter. Shame on the Government.

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Anwar Amjad

Apr 23, 2014 09:29am

Right move. Stern action is needed against Geo TV.

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Mansoor Sajid

Apr 23, 2014 09:33am

Geo in particular plays a lead role to defame Pakistan Army and therefore should be held accountable. Parliament should pass a bill with concensus to put the media under strict regulations so as not to dramatize events currently happening in Pakistan.

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Sensible

Apr 23, 2014 09:54am

@Mujtaba: The constitution does not allow that. Geo has violated article 63 of the constitution and we all know this it's against the law. As for as speaking against the army is concerned, I haven't seen it anywhere in the world, not even in India. They have never critisized their army for the atrocities commited in kashmir. So yes if we go by the constitution of Pak no one has the right to speak ill about our army and that too without any proof/evidence. Freedom of expression does not mean maligning the most prestigious institution of the country.

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DM Jaffri

Apr 23, 2014 10:14am

There is no justice in Pakistan poor baloch are forcefuly disapeared due to anti state activities, but chanals clearly try to defame Pakistan globelly under the so-called freedom of exprassion even they do not avoid to impose bogus blames on defending instituts, is it becuase of those are highly influcial???

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sumaira

Apr 23, 2014 03:54pm

i love u geo. and i am with you....

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nudrat

Apr 24, 2014 11:10am

@Shahid you are right ,threatening Pakistani media will weaken Pakistan .If ISI is innocent,they must prove.

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irfan raza

Apr 24, 2014 05:18pm

yes of course there should be a action against geo tv but also againts khawja asif that give a statement against army

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