**LAHORE: As the relationship between the presidency and the PPP government is touching its lowest ebb, the PPP government has banned the coverage of the embattled President Musharraf on the state run Pakistan Television and the Radio Pakistan following his recent outburst against the ruling party at a press conference. **
According to sources in the ministry of information, an unannounced ban has already been placed on Musharrafs coverage by the newly appointed general managers of the PTV and Radio Pakistan under instructions from the PPP Co-chairman Asif Zardari. Thats why, the sources said, neither Musharrafs Friday press conference was telecast live on the PTV [as had been the case in the past] nor he was projected in the main headlines, though it was given special significance on private electronic channels. According to those dealing with the current affairs department of the Pakistan Television, President Musharrafs overall coverage has been reduced drastically and the focus has been on the coverage of the political leadership in the last almost ten days as the prime minister, ministers and other government functionaries are getting due coverage reflecting democratic era, unlike in the past when the president used to be the focus of the state run media coverage.
The sources said the unannounced ban on his coverage compelled Musharraf to address a press conference in Islamabad last week only to make it clear that he would not resign come what may.
The PPP leader Asif Zardari shot back the same evening in Saudi Arabia by stating that President should get ready to face impeachment proceedings if he is not ready to leave the presidency honourably.
Ends.
MashaAllah. I’m gonna miss Aiwan-e-Sadr that used to telecast :(.
Funny thing is, well, it’s actually ironic. This is the same man who would shut down entire TV Networks for speaking against him, ouch! how karma comes to bite one in the rear! Now he is banned from the state T.V.
He can no longer claim that credit because he has more than once punished those very TV Stations including physical assaults and property damage for speaking out against him and delivering the news public wants/wanted to hear. And if that wasn't enough, he resorted to insulting and name-calling journalists. Really pathetic. So thank but no thanks, media earned its freedom after years of writing struggle. Had he not banned the tv stations over and over again, in such a silly manner, he would have retained that credit, but no longer.
This does enough damage to shatter his already shaky paper-thin commando figure that he boasted about. Now he's been reduced to the likes of an inmate awaiting death row...every ticking minute seems to be spelling more bad news for him.
so so sad.
BTW, whatever happened to his promises that if his party doesn't win he will resign, or if the public gives a mandate against his policies and his party, he will quit!...hmmm and here i was thinking he's a man of principles who lives upto his word. tsk tsk tsk
Although his appreances n TV was just waste of airtime and his programs are normally known as LIES AFTER LIES, still it is not acceptable to ban the person who is currently sitting on position of President of Pakistan.
I think the decision is to just show him or remind him that how weak he is.. but still nt good way..
The prvt channels arent very keen on giving him any airtime either. He’s too ugly anyway. He can no longer order crackdowns or ask the MQM to rough up AAJtv anymore
Being banned from PTV Khabrnama is more like an award for anyone.
Oh is that so, then how come Musharraf's mouthpiece Rashid Qureshi held a special meeting with Sherry Rehman yesterday to beg her to increase Musharraf's airtime in media?
I think they should give Musharraf all the airtime on PTV he wants, its only going to make people hate him more.
Now he is banned from the state T.V.
?