The season of confrontation has only just begin. It seems everybody is busy trying to flex their muscles these days. The opposition parties seem determined to strip Mush of his sweeping powers without which he would remain just a figurehead (who must only act on the advice of the elected prime minister and not have the present authority to sack the prime minister, dissolve parliament and choose the heads of the armed forces) and Mush it seems just can’t shake off his old dictatorial habits even in the dying stages of his soon-to-be nominal presidency (assuming the PPP and PML-N get their wish of 2/3 majority in parliament)
A Pakistani television station was abruptly shut down Friday, after it allowed two broadcasters who had been banned by the government to appear on air, a station official said.
Talat Hussain, executive director of news and current affairs for Aaj TV, said Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf disapproved of the journalists.
Musharraf’s spokesman, Maj. Gen. Rashid Qureshi, said he was unaware of the incident and would contact the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority about the suspension of transmission.
Aaj TV was taken off the air at 10 p.m. (10 a.m. ET), Hussain said. It was not known when the station could resume operations.
Instead of programming, viewers are greeted with the message: “Dear Users, Please note Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) temporarily suspended transmission of independent news TV channels till further instructions.”
Hussain said the regulatory authority had called Aaj TV and warned the station against allowing the broadcasters on the air.
The station rejects the ban because it violates media regulations, he said. The journalists were identified as Nusrat Javed and Mushtaq Minaz.
Musharraf suspended Javed from broadcasting earlier this month because of critical comments he made about the president, according to the Pakistani Web site, PK Politics. It was not immediately known why Minaz was banned.
When Musharraf declared a nationwide state of emergency on November 3, he took independent television networks off the air. They were later allowed to resume service.
Musharraf said he took the actions “for the good of Pakistan,” stressing that the nation was threatened by rising tensions and spreading terrorism.
But government officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, and opposition leaders said Musharraf took the action days before a Supreme Court ruling that would have nullified the October presidential results. Musharraf dismissed the court judges as part of his order http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/02/22/pakistan.tv/index.html
The man is just digging himself deeper in. So much for tolerance, he and his goons can't even tolerate a mediaman. Yet he wants to preach a moderate society with much tolerance. How about practicing what you preach?
The man is just digging himself deeper in. So much for tolerance, he and his goons can't even tolerate a mediaman. Yet he wants to preach a moderate society with much tolerance. How about practicing what you preach?
Mush is not man of his words. He wants power, nothing else. He does not want anyone to say naything against him. But his days are counted now, dont worry :)
Ali_R bhaijan. PPP and PML (N) have not even formed the government yet, and you are already wisjing for a corruption free government. At least give them a chance.
I was referring to the 8 years of King Musharrafs rule over Pakistan. Mashallah good work and efficiency shown by Musharraf by utlizing financial aid on PA private limited.
Can we actually picture Musharraf lounging on a couch in the living room at Army House watching TV with head on his mom's lap while Sehba massages his feet when he during a deep puff of Montecristo figurado presidente suddenly doesn't like the face of Talat Hussain, screams "Rashid!", "Shafaat!" and in come running the two Maj Gens, one retired the latter serving, and Musharraf orders them *"Shut down Aaj TV for no deal bigger than all that has already happened to me during the past 11 months, so that people can curse me some more, hate me some more and my enemies gain a few hundred more miles against me!".
Come freaking on guys. He is not behind everything! Why is Aaj TV shut down every second week since it came back? Not even Geo is having such probs everyday now! If theres an org with laws called PEMRA, and some ppl are running it, they will run it as per prescribed process, Musharraf doesn't come in every day, the media doesnt have to retake the lessons on new laws everyday. Sure some sour elements within his orgs and govt must be taking foul steps to soil his image more as happened throughout last year, but then again, what happens why? About a 50 other local channels are all doing the same reporting and analysis, the biggest problems is with Aaj. Why!?
By the way, Aaj TV was not shut down all over, I hear it's been constantly on in all other major cities. I'm not even sure right now how long if at all it was shut in Isl.
This is nothing. These tamashas will continue - now that we've got PPP, notorious for media censorship, back in power.
I don't think these orders are necessarily coming straight from Musharraf either. Its very possible its PEMRA being an unorganized shin dig being run by a bunch of corrupt government folks. I would also like to say that I wouldn' be suprised if GEO and ARY and other channels critical of the government are paying high bribes. They can afford it - they're getting viewership money from abroad, whereas AAJ isn't making as much income since its subscription is limited to the EAST.
Geo is still showing criticisms of President Musharraf, other politicians and political parties, although its calmed down a bit since November/December. So why aren't they taken off air every two seconds?
Its also very possible that Aaj is doing dramabaazi. After all, Musharraf's spokesman didn't have a clue about it. And sure, they could lie, but why waste the time if they want to make an example out of Aaj?
Its strange how dictators defenders are coming up with all sorts ifs and buts excuses. There are 7 black listed journalists by Mushrraf & these are 2 of them. As soon as they show up on tv…the tv channels go of the air. Coincident? I don’t thinks so.
LAHORE: The broadcast of Aaj TV channel went off air in various parts of the country late on Friday after two ‘banned’ hosts of the channel resumed their ‘banned’ programme ‘Bolta Pakistan.’
The channel’s transmission was suspended when ‘Bolta Pakistan’ was being aired on Friday night. The broadcast was later resumed in some parts of the country. The channel did not report why its transmission was put off-air. Its director news, however, criticised the presidency and PEMRA for their “unjust” policies towards the media.
Pakistan People’s Party Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has also condemned the suspension of channel’s transmission.
There are 7 black listed journalists by Mushrraf & these are 2 of them. As soon as they show up on tv...the tv channels go of the air. Coincident? I don't thinks so.
Shamraz bhaijan. No need to panic. Didn't Zardari and Nawaz Sharif say they will restore all journalists and make sure the media never goes off air? It is only a matter of days that PPP and PML (N) they are sitting in Parliament and making sure they deliver on their promises. :D
They need to get rid of PEMRA. It, in theory, is a good idea to modulate TV channels from getting extreme (NO EXCUSE for allowing terrorists a medium to speak on, as they did in Lal Masjid episode), but the typical gunda gardhi approach of government institutions should not be allowed to modulate a civilized and educated media.
As Aalsi alludes to, I hope the "DEMOCRATIC" (excuse me while I go laugh my arse off...PCG exits...PCG returns) political parties don't try to do worse. Knowing their style, they would take all the channels off air and we'd go back to having a PTV.
Non of you has understood that channels like Geo, Aaj Tv had to arrive one day or another. It is not the cause of good will by Musharraf. Neither did the major change happen by Atturk wannabe directly. Not due to his very moderate views, with he agreed on GEOs, Aaj Tvs creation and existance.
Therefore the free media for Pakistanis in Pakistan is not the hard work appreciation of Pheron Musharraf. Kapish?!
