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Firdous Ashiq Awan says Zardari interview pulled off air as it violated NAB, parliamentary rules
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan on Wednesday explained the grounds on which an interview of PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari was pulled shortly after it started airing on a private news channel on Monday.
The government's spokesperson provided the explanation in response to a question from Senator Ghous Mohammad Khan Niazi in a meeting of the Senate's Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting.
She said that though the issue was not a part of the meeting's agenda, she could explain it in detail.
Awan said that the interview was pulled under Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) rules for three reasons.
"[Firstly], an under-trial suspect who is in the custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) can not appear in an interview before cameras in the parliament," she explained.
"[Secondly] the permission of the National Assembly speaker is a prerequisite for bringing in cameras into the parliament," she said, adding that "[Finally], there is a designated spot outside the parliament for media talks [where such interviews should be held]."
"The interview was [therefore] conducted in violation of the rules of parliament," she concluded, adding that Pemra rules too do not allow the broadcasting of an interview of an accused who is under investigation and on remand.
Later, when some journalists asked her why an interview of Taliban terrorist Ehsanullah Ehsan was allowed to air (yet a former president's interview was blocked), she rhetorically asked: "Was Ehsanullah Ehsan an under-trial prisoner under investigation by NAB [when his interview was aired]? Was he on remand? Was he interviewed inside parliament with three [unauthorised] cameras]?"
Character assassination, fake news discussed
Senator Faisal Javed, who was chairing the meeting, rejected a proposal by Senator Rehman Malik to invite Asif Ali Zardari to the committee's next meeting "as a victim of character assassination". Javed said that Zardari is already a member of the parliament and another committee already exists to address the issue.
Malik also raised the issue of fake news and said that relevant laws should be amended to stop fake news. He stressed the need to develop a consensus on measures to curb the menace.
"I am not raising the issue for my party only but for all political parties. A sub-committee of the standing committee should be constituted to compile suggestions," he said.
Awan also shared the concerns of Malik on fake news but said that the government does not want to impose censorship. She agreed that there are apprehensions about fake news and everyone wants a responsible media.
She said that the government had already tasked the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to devise a strategy against fake news. She also stressed the need to bring about reforms in Pemra.
Talking about social media, she regretted that "unguided missiles" are fired from social media platforms. She also stressed the need to devise a mechanism to monitor social media.
Comments (36) Closed
She did the right thing! Period...
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
A major overhaul in the country's laws is needed. In Zardari's case, not only that the news channel violated the rules, but also the LEAs are equally responsible who let the media approach the accused person under investigation. He should have been brought to the parliament building and immediately taken back to detention, without letting anybody approach him. Then there's the issue of the so-called production orders, that is being misused by the criminals who happen to be parliamentarians.
Problem is - the way system is working, any one arrested by NAB is presumed guilty before court finds him/her guilty. Agree, interview should not have been within the parliament building (if this is the stipulation),
What a joke suspect can not interview .
Imran Khan is also accused. J. Tarin is convicted. Interview for both of them on air several times.
but why can he say anything on the floor of the house after production orders?
Well, if it is in the rules then follow the rules.
Pak needs to become a law abiding society, where rules, regulations and above all the law matters and it applies to journalists too. There should be fines and penalties for breaking the rules and regulations but there should be fines, penalties and jail time for breaking the law.
Pak will take a leap step, if everyone (i.e. Feudals, Generals, Judges, Mullahs, VIPs, Police etc) in Pak follows rules, guidelines and the law.
sad state of affairs in the state where information minister's statement on ehsanullah ehsan implies terrorism and murder is a lesser crime compared to corruption,
All the parlimentary rules like attendance were surely followed by imran during his stay at MNA! What a joke, sportsman lacks sportsman spirit and cannot tolerate criticism.
In my view, Hamid Mir has always been a controversial journalist, who want to be in news for whatever reason. Whether, it be political, social or media related for personal gains. Such people are publicity seekers, biased and have hidden agendas.
Only Musharraf is allowed to come on tv and give lectures regardless he is Pakistan most wanted man living in Dubai. Even poor judges of supreme court could not do anything against him.
Very good decision of Pemra, criminals who purposely damaged Pakistan need to get vicious and exemplary punishments and not need to be glorified
so why did Pemra say they had nothing to do with it? Who has the authority to pull programmes government or Pemra? Or both?
Another example of institutions fighting for supremacy and it’s a total farce.
Thank you ma'am for the clarification.
A person under detention being interviewed, tell me where else other than in Pakistan.
The government can release the interview of a convicted criminals while waiting on death row but TV channels cannot broadcast the interview of an accused ? Wow !
Good. We are sick of listening to looters of this country.
@Gordon D. Walker, She did the right thing on a wrong footing !
So why Jehangir Tareen can come in TV?
In Pakistan, even military regimes allowed more freedom of expression.
No where in the world especially any civilised nation works allowed a person who is under arrested to give interview to prime tv host. Whoever he or she is?
Definitely not in the parliament. PERIOD.
Well done PTI.
What a fake claim. PEMRA rules can't violate the sanctity of fundamental human rights or constitutional provisions concerning basic privileges of elected members of parliament. Someone should file legal proceedings against this Firdaus woman. And also seek to strike down any PEMRA or other so called 'rules' that are repugnant to essential human rights principles .
Human rights :-x
Bibi, then how come Ehsanullah Ehsan invterview went on air? Don't fool us please!
Madam kindly you and your other fellows contact the people of respective constituencies about their concerns and please do not believe in SAB ACHA reports because you are politicians and at some stage have to get back to them. Please check out the Sharpe rise in the prices of every thing which is now the main concern for every Pakistani.
While Ehsan Ullah Ehsan and Pervez Musharraf dedicated their lives helping street children get free educaiton,
there should be freedom of speech in true democracy
He has neither been tried nor convicted and is well within his rights to present his side of the story to the public and his constituents. Let them be the judge.Nobody has the right to prevent him from expressing his view on something that directly concerns him and may prevent him from ever seeing the light of day again.
When you are being investigated for high crime like corruption worth billions, shouldn't the person also lose their title and salary along with his or her rights as a MNA? The jailed politicians should not be allowed to attend any sessions, period. But in Pakistan, the rich and the powerful, when jailed, enjoy the good life, newspapers, home cooked foods, allowed to take walks, and all this for a poor country like Pakistan.
Good government decision to revoke media time for the looters of our country.
Nawaz Sharif and his family and zardari have violated our public trust and have run into grounds our economy by stealing national wealth. Their properties be confiscated to recover our looted money.
No media time for the crooks. Shabaz Shrief should be prosecuted for maligning our PM.
Thank you for the superb explanation.
Not really convincing certainly not when coming from Firdaus Ashiq Awan. It stills looks like good old censorship and while I believe Zardari belongs in jail for his treason and looting our country, he can say what he wants. Nothing changes that he is going to jail.
Great, timely, correct and penetrating clarification by the "Iron Lady."
great answers by this lady. well done !
The law needs correction you can't put laws to accused he could be free after case is over until court proves guilty no point in applying laws these laws are meant for stopping opposition to talk to media
@Gordon D. Walker,
Might is right. She can use all the state machinery to justify her party's actions but for how long? When the winds will change everything she did and said will be used against her in a Pakistani court of law and she will regret playing Saaraa Hooka-Bai Sandoor (Sarah Huckabee Sanders)