Re: ARY TV to shut down as well.
LAHORE, Pakistan (CNN) – Two Pakistani television networks that transmit from Dubai in United Arab Emirates were ordered off the air Friday at the request of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, officials from the networks told CNN.
Pakistan’s president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, has been under pressure to lift a state of emergency.
GEO-TV and ARY Digital both offer a variety of programming, including news, entertainment, sports and music.
Since Musharraf declared a state of emergency earlier this month, Pakistani authorities have shut down media outlets and jailed opposition leaders.
Musharraf has said the order improves stability and will foster peaceful parliamentary elections, which he has said he would like to see take place before January 9.
The exact date will be set by Pakistan’s Election Commission.
Opposition leaders have accused Musharraf of declaring emergency rule to keep his hold on power and avoid an expected court ruling that would have nullified his election victory in October