‘Secret Pakistan’: Pak may summon BBC over documentary

The row relates to a BBC documentary, which questions Pakistan’s commitment to tackling Taliban militancy.

LAHORE: Pakistan said Wednesday it was looking at summoning the BBC to demand an explanation over a documentary about the Taliban that has left the BBC World News channel blocked nationwide. Cable operators pulled the channel late on Tuesday amid anger over Nato air strikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. The row relates to a two-part BBC documentary, “Secret Pakistan”, which questions Pakistan’s commitment to tackling Taliban militancy. The BBC said it was deeply concerned by the move, and called for its channel to be speedily reinstated. Pemra’s spokesperson Tahir Izhar meanwhile said: “The authorities can summon BBC representatives and seek an explanation from them.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1^st, 2011.