No written order for Geo ban: DAG
KARACHI: Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Rizwan Ahmed Siddiqui said on Tuesday that no written order was issued for the suspension of Geo TV channels.
Responding to the arguments filed by Geo TV counsel Muhammad Ali Mazhar advocate, the DAG stated this before the Sindh High Court during the hearing of two constitutional petitions filed by Geo TV Network.
The Sindh High Court heard on Tuesday two constitutional petitions filed by Independent Media Corporation (Pvt) Ltd and Birds (Pvt) Ltd against the unlawful ban and suspension of four TV channels of the petitioners, namely “Geo News”, “Geo Entertainment”, “Geo Super” and “Aag TV”.
The bench comprised Justice Munib Ahmed Khan and Justice Dr Rana Muhammad Shamim. On the last date of hearing, the DAG was specially directed to file comments failing which the matter will be finally heard on Nov 27.
When the matter was taken up at 1:00 pm, the DAG did not file any comments and produced a news clipping of a newspaper in which he attempted to argue that Geo News transmission was suspended from Dubai and the matter of Geo’s restoration is pending as the dialogues are continuing between the Geo management and Dubai Media City. On this ground he again sought 10 days’ time to submit comments.
Petitioner’s counsel Ali Mazhar vehemently opposed the request of adjournment and seeking further time by the deputy attorney general on the ground that the court has already given more than 13 days time earlier to him for filing comments but he failed to do so. He then argued that this is a very serious matter, as at least the jobs of 4,500 employees are at stake and 4,500 employees mean 4,500 families. This is the 26th day of suspension and if the suspended channels are not restored immediately then the petitioners will not be able to pay their salaries and for the payment of salary approximately Rs 6 crore are required.
Ali Mazhar produced a circular issued by Pemra in the month of January 2007 whereby all cable TV network operators were informed that Independent Media Corporation (Pvt) Ltd and Birds (Pvt) Ltd have obtained the landing rights licences of “Geo News” “Geo Entertainment”, “Geo Super” and “Aag TV” from Pemra and all cable TV operators were required to relay above channels through their cable TV networks.
Besides, he also produced the landing rights application forms, list of eligible channels and landing rights licence fee tariff available on Pemra web site. He said after obtaining the landing rights licence, the petitioners channels have become eligible channels required to be relayed by all cable TV networks and their eligibility proves from the landing right licence, cable TV regulations and notification issued by Pemra in the month of January 2007 requiring all cable TV operators to relay the above channels of Geo TV Network.
Ali Mazhar argued that the respondents have suspended the transmission of channels verbally without issuing any written order or show-cause notice and this fact is already mentioned in the memo of the petition.
He went to argue, “Besides, this is also against section 24-A of General Clauses Act as no written reason has been conveyed or assigned to the petitioners as to why the transmission has been suspended nor was any opportunity given to defend any allegation, if any.”
The petitioners’ advocate also argued that on the last date of hearing a list of 21 channels was produced which have been restored and two or three days earlier, two more channels of ARY were also restored and now only Geo TV Network channels are under suspension which is highly discriminatory.
The petitioner’s counsel further argued that the respondents have nothing to do with any suspension of Geo News from Dubai as the petitioners are valid licence holder in Pakistan with valid licence, so their case may only be adjudged under Pakistani laws.
After hearing the argument, the court inquired from the deputy attorney general why Geo TV channels are not allowed to being on air when Pemra has charged huge licence fee from them. Answering this query, Deputy Attorney General Rizwan Siddiqui vehemently stated that there is no written order issued for suspension and the respondents have not imposed any ban or suspension on Geo TV Network.
On this statement, Ali Mazhar requested the court to record the statement of the deputy attorney general. The deputy attorney general also made a submission that instead of him,the attorney general for Pakistan will himself argue this matter.
The court said the deputy attorney general has already taken much time for filing the comments. Later, the court adjourned the matter for hearing on Nov 29, 2007 when the matter will be heard for a final decision regarding the restoration of Geo TV channels’ transmission.
People eagerly await Geo transmissions
KARACHI: The public was anxiously waiting for some clear directives on Tuesday from the Sindh High court on the petitions for the restoration of Geo News, Geo Entertainment, Aag and Geo Super. When people learnt that the hearing had been postponed till November 29, a pall of gloom descended over them. A large number of people telephoned the Geo offices to express their deep regret and anger at the delay in restoring the channels. Many Pakistanis also called from foreign countries to enquire about the decision of the court. Callers said that since November 3 they had been anxiously waiting for news on the restoration of their favourite channels. Many callers expressed their support for the channels and hoped that the honourable court would swiftly take a decision on this case. They said that the blacking out of the channels has deprived them of coverage of national and international issues, as well as entertainment programmes. People fervently hoped that the channels were swiftly restored. They prayed that Geo succeeds in its struggle and said that it was not alone and that it enjoyed the whole-hearted support of the people.
Media bodies agree to improve ties with govt
ISLAMABAD: The representatives of APNS, CPNE, PFUJ and the ministry of information and broadcasting have agreed to improve the environment with regard to the government-media relations by deleting all those provisions from the amended press, newspapers, news agencies and Books Registration Ordinance 2007, which had caused concern amongst the print media. The provisions to be deleted relate suspension of declaration for a period of thirty days and restrictions on publication of certain material.
In a meeting with the Minister for Information & Broadcasting Nisar A Memon, the media representatives also suggested that comprehensive proposals from these media bodies would be sent to the ministry by Saturday next so as to move forward on the subjects.
The minister assured the media delegation that the matter regarding FIRs registered by law-enforcement agencies against the working journalists before and after imposition of emergency would be taken up with the authorities concerned for withdrawal. He assured that the government would take all necessary confidence building measures, including bilateral meetings with the publisher/owner of the GEO and Jang/News group.
Hameed A Haroon, Qazi Mohammed Aslam, Arif Nizami, Khushnood Ali Khan, Huma Ali, CR Shamsi and Dr Tanveer A Tahir represented the APNS, CPNE and PFUJ. The Secretary Information and Broadcasting, Syed Anwar Mehmood, and other officials also attended the meeting.
‘Media and judiciary are interlinked’
KARACHI: An event to express solidarity with the media and judiciary was organised at “Azadi Street” outside Geo offices on Tuesday night.
An NGO People’s Resistance, in association with Geo Network, had arranged the event where the participants were shown a promo of past dictatorial regimes - right from Ayub Khan till the present one.
Songs that Geo played since its closure, particularly “hum dekhengey” and “zinda rehney do” were also played on the occasion. Besides, poetry of Faiz was also recited.
Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim, Anis Haroon, Uzma Noorani and Nuzhat Qidwai were prominent among those who attended the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Noor Naz Agha, representing lawyers’ community, linked both media and judiciary, saying that both play important role for democratic dispensation in the country.
Secretary General PFUJ Mazhar Abbas demanded of the government to remove all gags, fetters and restrictions on the print and electronic media.
Geo and Jang group staffers outnumbered the members of People’s Resistance, while contrary to the schedule there was no representation from teachers’ community.
Journalists to observe black day today
KARACHI: On the concluding day of second phase of media protest, ‘Black Day’ will be observed through out the country on Wednesday. The plan to observe black day was given by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) under which a protest demonstration will be held at the Karachi Press Club (KPC).
On the day black flags will be hoisted atop the offices of newspapers and channels. Journalists will wear black armbands. To express solidarity with the media people, different political parties leaders, trade unionists, lawyers, wives of judges who did not take oath under the PCO, other civil society organisation members continued visiting the protest camp on the second consecutive dayoutside Karachi Press Club.
The Judges, Justice (Retd) Wajihuddin, Justice (Retd) Fakhruddin Ibrahim, Justice (Retd) Majida Rizvi and other Judges and lawyers visited the protest camp expressing solidarity with the journalists and assured them all-out support in their movement for unshackling the media. Journalists from different organisation also visited the camp and signed the visitors’ book placed to show unity and express sympathy with each other.
Meanwhile, the PFUJ, is leading journalists in Pakistan into phase-2 of their battle against the anti-media decrees being clamped by President Musharraf since November 3. The PFUJ will lead protest camps at press clubs up until November 28, which has been declared a Black Day, ahead of a review of national strategy at the weekend. It also threatens to boycott coverage of the all functions pertaining to the President and the interim Prime Minister.
The PFUJ’s Secretary-General, Mazhar Abbas, said continuing protests by Pakistan’s media workers include calls for all charges laid against journalists to be withdrawn. The PFUJ reiterates its condemnation of the government’s two anti-press laws brought in by the President, the continuing ban on private television channel Geo and pressure on broadcasters to conform to the ‘press advice’’ of the authorities.
It reports that some broadcasters have been told to suspend popular talk shows on political issues. The PFUJ, supported by the IFJ, salutes those journalists who were arrested and beaten by police in Karachi, Lahore, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Peshawar and other cities during protests since November 3.
“The courage of so many journalists in Pakistan who refused to bow down to the ban on freedom of expression is highly admirable,’’ said IFJ-Asia Director Jacqueline Park, in a statement on Tuesday. The PFUJ’s review of the situation follows a joint condemnation of the President’s actions by the PFUJ, the All-Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), the Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) and the Pakistan Broadcasters’ Association (PBA) at a meeting in Karachi last week, following the visit by an international IFJ mission to the country.
Journalists, civil society protest against media curbs
ISLAMABAD: Hundreds of journalists, representatives of civil society and citizens participated in a newsmenís protest camp on the 19th consecutive day here on Tuesday.
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists had announced a call for the protest against media curbs and organised a protest camp in front of the Islamabad Press Club.
Former federal minister J Salik also visited the camp along with hundreds of his followers of Katchi Abadi.
Speaking on the occasion President Rawalpindi/Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) Afzal But said lawyers, journalists, students and civil society should unite for the restoration of judiciary, free media, and democracy.
He warned the owners of private media to avoid any type of deal with the government for the sake of integrity of the country as well as for the restoration of fundamental rights. He vowed to continue their protest till the restoration of free media, the Constitution and fundamental rights. He also urged the political parties not to contest elections under the umbrella of emergency and the PCO.
KhUJ stages 3-day protest camp against curbs on media
PESHAWAR: Continuing struggle to free the media Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) here Tuesday staged a three-day protest camp outside Peshawar Press Club to condemn curbs on media and amendments in Pemra ordinance.
President KhUJ, Jan Afzal as well as many other senior journalists and other participated in the protest camp. Meanwhile, participants of the camp chanted slogans against the curbs on media. Several members of civil society, political leaders of NWFP chapter and lawyers’ community also participated in the protest camp. They include Hakim Abdul Waheed (MMA), Dr Arbab Alamgir (PPP), Haji Parvez Ahmad (Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry), former MNA Abdul Akbar Chitrali, Barrister Wiqar, Barrister Sayyed Mudassir Amir, Mian Fida Gul Advocate and Musarrat Hilali along with other lawyers.
Participants expressed their solidarity with journalists assured them of full support. They condemned the government for imposing bans on media and pressing their freedom. Participants of the camp demanded of the government to immediately lift the emergency as they considered lifting emergency indispensable for free and fair elections. While addressing the participants of the camp, Jan Afzal vowed to continue the struggle till the achievement of their goals. He said that the camp would continue till Thursday.
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