Bukhari hints at ‘blackout’ of opposition on PTV
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ISLAMABAD: Newly appointed chairman of Pakistan Television Naeem Bukhari has hinted at ‘blackout’ of the opposition on PTV.
When a reporter asked the new chairman outside the Supreme Court building if the opposition would be given equal airtime on PTV, Mr Bukhari replied: “Not at all.”
He said PTV was the state-run organisation and it would only represent the stance of the government.
“Only government?” asked the reporter.
“Yes, only government,” Mr Bukhari said.
On Monday, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting notified Mr Bukhari as chairman of PTV. Mr Bukhari has a vast experience of doing programmes on television.
During the previous PML-N regime, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf insisted on giving equal coverage to the opposition on PTV and even held a press conference at the Press Information Department.
Interestingly, the PTI manifesto promises to transform PTV on the lines of BBC.
Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2020
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On DawnNews
Comments (121) Closed
Nov 25, 2020 09:03am
Plain and simple dictatorship. North Korea style.
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Nov 25, 2020 09:04am
"Bukhari hints at ‘blackout’ of opposition on PTV"
Good job. This is what despot leaders tried and failed in the past.
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Nov 25, 2020 09:06am
"During the previous PML-N regime, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf insisted on giving equal coverage to the opposition on PTV"
It's time to get even. PTI on its way to become PML-N.
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Nov 25, 2020 09:07am
Is PTV a starte run channel or PTI run? Does the PIT bear PTV expenses?
NB jumped from Grace in his first utterance!
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Nov 25, 2020 09:07am
just like Iron Brother!! Well done PMIK!!
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Nov 25, 2020 09:07am
No point - no one watches PTV - they watch Ary, Geo and other networks
What Pemra should do is regulate these anchors more - sometimes they put ridiculous stuff out there on Youtube
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Nov 25, 2020 09:10am
The free and fair and open media, more free than the western world, is finally taking shape. Love you Khan!
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Nov 25, 2020 09:10am
One expected some sanity from Mr Bukhari!
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Nov 25, 2020 09:11am
Who watches it in the first place.will your black out even matter.why is it so hard hear about your performance from the opposition
Work for the people so the opposition cant do anything.
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Nov 25, 2020 09:11am
Listen to Speeches of Imran khan when he was in opposition.
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Nov 25, 2020 09:13am
If you have a different opinion and you did not vote for me then you have no right to be heard on PTV. Our amazing PTI democracy.
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Nov 25, 2020 09:15am
Nor a mature view in a democracy
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Nov 25, 2020 09:18am
Great! PTV TRPs would further decline.
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Nov 25, 2020 09:19am
Bokhari didn't hinted that only PTI supporters and "them" will be charged PTV fee in electricity bills.....Did he?
What a great state, what a great choice of the choosers. Hats off
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Nov 25, 2020 09:23am
And they lecture India!
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Nov 25, 2020 09:23am
This is a good step because the opposition is not the real opposition that we see across the world but a bunch of thugs who are defending their family politics, doing fraud, and manipulating facts to pursue the gullible countrymen.
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Nov 25, 2020 09:25am
So what opposition already have their sponsored news channel geo TV, aaj TV and 24news to name some.
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Nov 25, 2020 09:28am
so what is different in PTI from previous governments? Hakomat nama again it will be. PTV should become independent. Privatized as propaganda days are long gone, it is one's deed that counts.
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Nov 25, 2020 09:29am
PTV always represent the stance of the government. And I remember calling it wazir-nama
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Nov 25, 2020 09:30am
It is absolutely wrong and to be condemned. It means PTV would become a government propaganda machine financed by tax payers rather than an independent institution of communication of news, views and culture. Let us look at BBC. It is a good model to emulate as an institution totally detached from the government.
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Nov 25, 2020 09:31am
Misuse of govt machinery
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Nov 25, 2020 09:31am
This is the real face of fascism!
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Nov 25, 2020 09:32am
Mr Bokhari should have known that PTV is run on tax payer’s money and not on PTI party funds. Under democratic system, the public has the right to learn about opposition’s point of view.
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Nov 25, 2020 09:32am
Then PTV fees only charged against pti supporters.
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Nov 25, 2020 09:33am
Prepare for further downgrading in already embarassing Press Freedom Rankings.
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Nov 25, 2020 09:36am
Very shameful,my first question is Mr.Bukhara has no experience of media,on what bases he has been appointed to this responsible post,and referring to BBC,Please do research and dont spread lies,BBC gives equal time to all political parties,but their programmes are more focused towards children,good movies,regional cooperation,Science,strengthening bond between allies,propagating against Islam.Pure dictatorship in our dear country, shame on him.PTV downfall has started,incompetent man for post.
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Nov 25, 2020 09:40am
NB lost his all respect in my eyes!
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Nov 25, 2020 09:43am
Don't believe Mr.Bukhari what say believe what he does. He is a lawyer, not a liar.
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Nov 25, 2020 09:44am
Without a counter opinion to debate upon what would this one sided news channel achieve ? Its like all guests and host will have no differences to resolve nothing to debate just a one page channel, one blank page !!
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Nov 25, 2020 09:44am
@Fastrack , when people comment without reading the article!
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Nov 25, 2020 09:49am
Excellent
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Nov 25, 2020 09:51am
There is no opposition in Pakistan, it is only playing onto the hands of enemies of Pakistan
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Nov 25, 2020 09:51am
@Salman, so does PTI, but PTV is sponsored by both you and me.
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Nov 25, 2020 09:52am
BBC is also a state-run institution, however, it does provide coverage to the points of view of the opposition as well. Perhaps, Mr. Naeem Bukhari seeks inspiration from North Korea or Indian policies in Indian Occupied Kashmir.
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Nov 25, 2020 09:57am
Zia-ul-Haq style military dictatorship. They think the one who controls PTV controls Pakistani public. This is age of social media.
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Nov 25, 2020 09:57am
"Bukhari hints at ‘blackout’ of opposition on PTV."
With this kind of approach... to curb opposing views and opinions...society and country cannot move forward and progress! Now a days, even countries in African dictatorships are moving towards freedom of expression and thought!
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Nov 25, 2020 10:01am
@RAja Raman ,
But they didn't
Still remember the 1998 9'o clock wazeernama
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Nov 25, 2020 10:02am
Then IK should pay his and all ptv employees salaries from his pocket too!
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Nov 25, 2020 10:10am
Clear violation of misusing state machinery as political tool to shut oppositions voices.
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Nov 25, 2020 10:10am
The action will further sink PTV despite TV Fee in electricity bills as it will lose the audience.
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Nov 25, 2020 10:13am
Mr. Bhukhari,s word are questions marks on PTV's credibility
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Nov 25, 2020 10:14am
Sanity should prevail and good decision mr NB. If they are talking about institutions why do they need air time. They have all the private channals to go on and present their ayaz sadiq. I agree. Keep up
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Nov 25, 2020 10:15am
PTV runs using taxes paid by people. By this logic only people who voted for PTI should pay tax.
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Nov 25, 2020 10:15am
We do expect improvement in PTV performance... giving coverage or not should not be a problem.
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Nov 25, 2020 10:16am
Ptv should charge for equality opposition should bye slot or go geo tv pmln favorite
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Nov 25, 2020 10:20am
Mr. BUKHARI was joking. Everyone know that he has a great sense of humor .
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Nov 25, 2020 10:20am
Not surprised.I reward you for panamagate you reward me by opposition blackout.These were our heroes and look what ugly side you see when in power.
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Nov 25, 2020 10:27am
Agreed. Media does not necessarily has to show only whats wrong with the society, it can also be an agent of change and it can do that by propagating the ideals of our society.
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Nov 25, 2020 10:31am
So Bukhari's law practice is at down hill.
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Nov 25, 2020 10:37am
PTV is funded by the tax money of PTI as well as other parties' supporters. This will be an unconstitutional act and he is a lawyer!!!!
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Nov 25, 2020 10:38am
It seems like a brick by brick destruction is underway !
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Nov 25, 2020 10:41am
You will notice that the letters "u" and "i" are so close on the keyboard. Hence may times "u" is typed by mistake instead of "i" and vice versa. Perhaps a similar mistake was made while typing the last name of the newly appointed chairman.
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Nov 25, 2020 10:44am
One voice for government, by government, about government.
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Nov 25, 2020 10:44am
PMIK urgently needs to see an 'anger management."
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Nov 25, 2020 10:49am
He wanna say that PTV is biased & will remain biased, have nothing to do with truth & reality.
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Nov 25, 2020 10:51am
This is how a government falls.
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Nov 25, 2020 10:51am
PTV is funded by taxpayers money and taxpayers are entitled to independent unbiased coverage .
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Nov 25, 2020 10:55am
Setting an extremely bad example. Is Bukhari in senses and sound state of mind ??
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Nov 25, 2020 10:57am
PTV is run by the people taxes not personal pocket of PTI. You should give equal chance to opposition
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Nov 25, 2020 10:59am
Finally Pakistan is moving in the right direction
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Nov 25, 2020 11:04am
Where is freedom of speech?
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Nov 25, 2020 11:14am
First the goof-up. Then the U-turn. All PTI members have to follow this routine.
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Nov 25, 2020 11:18am
Misuse of an institution is thuggery, plain and simple.
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Nov 25, 2020 11:20am
Naem Bukhari,with his usual witty intelligence is back for us to us. Bravo .
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Nov 25, 2020 11:22am
@Mariam B, 100% correct !
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Nov 25, 2020 11:23am
PTV belongs to every single citizen of pakistan including the opposition, any talk of "blackout of the opposition" by a government functionary is absurd and will rebound on the government and may form a potent cause of the PTI's unpopularity. hence the government will only do so at it's own peril.
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Nov 25, 2020 11:23am
Mr. Naeem Bukhari has provided a justified and appropriate reply. PTV is a state organ and should only telecast the official government policy and stance to make sure of no confusing opinions. Opposition is free to seek the courts if it believes it has been wronged.
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Nov 25, 2020 11:34am
opposition of criminals.
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Nov 25, 2020 11:34am
Appointing your counsel as MD is favouritism or fairplay. N
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Nov 25, 2020 11:40am
PTV or 'PTI' TV?
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Nov 25, 2020 11:45am
Is there electricity to watch PTV?
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Nov 25, 2020 11:51am
I think people have already given up on watching ptv. Such actions will totally destroy viewership of ptv, and ptv will just end up on the losing side.
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Nov 25, 2020 11:57am
you're a dictator
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Nov 25, 2020 12:12pm
Opposition is part of the Government, Period.
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Nov 25, 2020 12:14pm
Dear Bukhari Sahib,
Pakistanis pay Rs.35 per electricity meter p.m. which comes to billions of rupees for PTV. In addition, the Government provides billions as subsidy.
A number of channels are providing News, Dramas, Comedy, Circus (aka talk shows), etc. So maybe a small slot for Government side of the News.
Almost all time should be spent on providing "Online classes" - I am sure you know that most Pakistanis don't have computers and dependable WiFi.
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Nov 25, 2020 12:18pm
U already have another state run TV channel by the name of ARYNEWS :)
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Nov 25, 2020 12:28pm
What's so surprising in this stance? This has been happening in PTV since its inception.
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Nov 25, 2020 12:30pm
@SayNoToPlastics, expect a U-turn anytime soon..
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Nov 25, 2020 12:35pm
Good decision oppositions anti satiate narrative should have no place on state media.
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Nov 25, 2020 12:35pm
PTI is now in full panic mode
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Nov 25, 2020 12:39pm
Guy should be immediately fired
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Nov 25, 2020 12:46pm
No one wants to listen to crooks, theives absconderers, criminals on national TV.
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Nov 25, 2020 12:48pm
@RAja Raman , '"Bukhari hints at ‘blackout’ of opposition on PTV"
Good job. This is what despot leaders tried and failed in the past.'
In India 85%mesia owned by RSS sympathizers. No air time given to Muslims, minorities, dalits and opposition physically attacked. Look within before commenting on countries you have no link to.
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Nov 25, 2020 12:49pm
Page 17, PTI Manifesto: "PBC and PTV will be made autonomous with their own Board of Governors similar to the BBC model."
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Nov 25, 2020 12:58pm
The friendship with Iron Brother is bearing fruit. NB also requested to drop PTV fee from utility bills.
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Nov 25, 2020 12:58pm
Thy name should be PTIV
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Nov 25, 2020 12:59pm
Decent man, good choice. For staff reporter, he never used the word "blackout".
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Nov 25, 2020 01:04pm
Dear Bukhari Sahib,
PTV expenses are met through Rs.35 per electricity meter p.m. provided by all Pakistanis + billions provided as subsidy by Government.
PTV can be seen in every part of the Country and is ideally placed to convey all important messages. Instead of wasting your time in aping what the other 100 channels are doing - why not provide latest info to "Farmers" - I am sure you know that agricultural production per acre in our Punjab is almost half that of East Punjab.
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Nov 25, 2020 01:05pm
PTI defend propgate and runing Pak like a dictator and we all thought we casted our votes for democracy. IK rewarding his friends and financers.
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Nov 25, 2020 01:07pm
@Brigadier (Retd)Patriotic, Naeem has a tv media experience since last 40 years when he started as a tv host in weekly program.
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Nov 25, 2020 01:08pm
What a hypocritic society we are living in.
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Nov 25, 2020 01:08pm
Not sure about the direction of this government. Seems they have the same path and agenda as the other two past parties.
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Nov 25, 2020 01:09pm
So no more songs of Tahira Syed on PTV ? NB's appointment is yet another negation of IK's promise of not appointing his friends, colleagues in lucrative positions of government run institutions. By the time IK finishes his term he will be unrecognizable as the man who was voted in by a bewildered youthful crowd in 2018. Pity.
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Nov 25, 2020 01:09pm
Good decision. Thanks
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Nov 25, 2020 01:12pm
Such things could be expected form PTI leadership. But Mr. Bukhari has surprised with this irresponsible statement. PTV is state run channel, and state does not mean the government only. State consists of all its organs including opposition, judiciary, bureaucracy etc. Perhaps, he even does not he consider Parliament a state institution.
What happens to people when they get into power positions?
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Nov 25, 2020 01:15pm
What else can he say at this critical and crucial juncture in time and history to stay afloat, make his boss happy, rally support, consolidate his position, look busy, reinforce his ranking, get counted and above all, remain in the powerful multimedia limelight?
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Nov 25, 2020 01:19pm
Brilliant appointment. He will do a great job.
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Nov 25, 2020 01:34pm
If that is the case then why are we paying for TV tax in our electricity bills? Why the state does not pay for it, or rather the PM himself. This reminds me of times when Azahar Lodhi would read scripted khabarnama.
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Nov 25, 2020 01:34pm
Irreversible downward spiral. With a government like this who needs enemies?
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Nov 25, 2020 01:43pm
Best choice and I totally agree with him, looters, absconders and cheaters shouldn’t get any air time on national t.v.
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Nov 25, 2020 02:01pm
who watch PTV news.. ????
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Nov 25, 2020 02:24pm
Isn't loadshedding there?
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Nov 25, 2020 02:34pm
Surprised.
This can not be right. PTI is doing what others have done in the past.
Yes there are problems with the system, with the opposition misleading with their lies.
But you have to find a middle ground.
I am a PTI supporter. We can not have a democracy like the west. But you need to hear the opposition.
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Nov 25, 2020 02:45pm
Nice placement... a person of good nature and equally capable of handling the job.
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Nov 25, 2020 02:50pm
Soon there will be ban on opposition party itself.
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Nov 25, 2020 02:53pm
Pakistan Tv should follow BBC.
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Nov 25, 2020 03:05pm
Pathetic, is PTV there to represent the views of the state only? or to represent the truth?
Imran seems to have sided with the dinosaurs of the establishment. But they will fail, I say as a nominal PTI supporter. This is not the 1980s, the world has moved on, but these people seem to be stuck there.
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Nov 25, 2020 03:26pm
No one will watch PTV for news or current affairs.
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Nov 25, 2020 03:30pm
Naya Pakistan, Wow! welcome to dark ages.
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Nov 25, 2020 03:57pm
Is Pakistan under the dictatorship or democracy?
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Nov 25, 2020 05:30pm
Can be tried as idea where govt narrative is 100 percent told and be banned on all other channel so that everyone knows that this is all what govt is thinking and doing. Presently channel's using portray opposition only perspective due lot of reasons one of which is funding behind the doors by many agencies and politicians
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Nov 26, 2020 12:00am
Disappointed, what else one could expect from these selected lot.... Ptv is not PTI government but GoP media tasked to broadcast balance news, sharing all events that happen, not alone PTI just because they are selected as power to be.
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Nov 26, 2020 06:08am
Mr. Bukhari is eminent lawyer. It is not expected from him to undermine democratic values for a petty job..
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Nov 26, 2020 12:13pm
Inconsistency thy name is PTI.
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Nov 26, 2020 06:18pm
Pakistan is the new England!!
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Nov 26, 2020 06:52pm
What is media freedom ?
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Nov 26, 2020 07:46pm
@Mishayl Valika, "No point - no one watches PTV - they watch Ary, Geo and other networks"
Wrong on ALL counts. Firstly if no one watches PTV, why censor it? Secondly, that does not make it OK to censor it. Lastly, who is to say that ARY, GEO etc will not be next.
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Nov 26, 2020 08:12pm
Bukhari came in with marching orders and he is executing them now. Nothing new. PTI is no different than anyone else. Their corruption is only brought to life after they exit the theatre. Wait till PMIK retreat to London or Istanbul.
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Nov 26, 2020 08:31pm
The man is a good story teller, can amuse small audience. This is a major step in his career, how does he perform , time will tell. In my opinion he will consider himself above the institution he is about run. Wait for the gossips.
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Nov 26, 2020 09:43pm
They have Geo TV....no need for another channel!
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Nov 26, 2020 09:57pm
High time, please get new management, educated ethical journalist that can build a strong narrative of state of Pakistan !
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