Investigators work at the scene after the attack on prominent Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir in Karachi on April 19, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
Reacting to the ‘baseless allegations’ levelled by Geo TV against the premier intelligence agency, the chief military spokesperson said on Sunday that Pakistan Army will take legal action in accordance with the law and Constitution.
“We are evaluating the baseless allegations levelled against the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) from all aspects and there should be no doubt that we will take legal action [against Geo TV],” Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj-Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa told Express News on Sunday.
“One particular channel has been repeating baseless allegations against the ISI and DG ISI since yesterday [Saturday]… this is all misleading and unfortunate,” he said. “The way these allegations were levelled against an organisation like ISI has brought a bad name to Pakistan.”
“Both Pakistan Army and ISI are responsible and honourable institutions. Levelling baseless allegations against them is not tolerable… [they] are tantamount to weakening the country and they should end,” Maj-Gen Bajwa said. He added that “there should be no doubt that the hearts of the people of Pakistan beat with the army.”
He said the army leadership was not only aware of the present situation, but was also trying, as a policy, to strengthen the independence of journalism and democracy. “Pakistan Army will fulfill its responsibility of defending Pakistan, no matter how difficult the situation,” he added.
Maj-Gen Bajwa welcomed the establishment of a three-member commission by the prime minister to probe the attack on journalist Hamid Mir. He held out an assurance that the army would help the commission bring the culprits to justice. He once again condemned the attack and prayed for an early recovery of Mir.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 21st, 2014.
COMMENTS (34)
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Not surprised; these Geo people have more or less acted like their patrons when army chief was being sent to India in 1999. This Geo group are the traitors they should be sent to India. There should be no place for them on Pak soil.
Shame on GEO and its licence should be cancelled
@Stealth Duty of the government... PM went to see Mir today. Lol.
Some people are saying that it is Indian channel in pakistan etc.. Incredible mentality and conspiracy theory mindset by pakis. U will always remain in filth and religious retardation. U and ur nation is a joke, plz don't take india's name jus because u don't know how ur own institutions work. We might be nighbors but india wants nothing to do with terrorists and religious fanatics, the comments here showcase the backward mindset and lack of education, we want nothing to do with people like u. Thank god I'm not in blind conspiracy ridden pak where people cannot take criticism and other points of views, u lot repulse me.
Pakistan is the only country in the world where an anti country channel has been allowed to air its sinister campaign. Even in more media open countries like UK and US, no media group is allowed to defame its own army and intelligence agencies. It is the duty of the government to take action against it, not just army.
looks like pakistani army has better relations with china than thier own citizens... :P
oh god now Pakstanis start accusing the ISI like the Indians
I view that Ministry of Defense should take notice of allegations against ISI. Wondering how PM issued orders to constitute Judicial Commission ?
Who knew Hamid Mir is coming to Karachi; who disabled CCTV Cameras; Culprits have so much intelligence and access to vital authorities more than Intelligence Agencies;
Sad to see the military brass taking on only through words and no concrete action against these Indian representative of GEO Tv. this itself gives the perception of weakening military authority..Sad indeed
and who is responsible for thousands of missing persons? these people and organizations must be make accountable like the rest otherwise every area of Pak will be like FATA except Cantonments.
What a shame on GEO. It's license must be cancelled.
Good step taken by Bravo Army. Geo should be banned.
Musharaf was right when he banned GEO.
But first you will have to break the state threatening "PML-N - Judiciary Nexus" before taking a legal action.
Everybody is a "non-state actor" in Pakistan. But the state pays their wages.
Teach them a lesson please.
Geo TV is an Indian TV in Pakistan.
GEO should be taken to task. Pakistan Army has defended Pakistan so many times. what does the couch potatoes running GEO tv have done for Pakistan.
immediately close the transmission of Jang Geo Group under violation of constitution 63.
Courts can reject any kind of legal move from army. Zaheer ul Islam himself, after resigning, or ministry of defence should be allowed to make a legal case against Amir Mir and GEO group.
Excellent.
this whole thing is so anti Pakistan, saddening.
Though I regret an attack on any human I neither agree nor appreciate GEO's maligning Pakistani army without any proof. Hamid Mir is no angel and it is very surprising that all the bullets that were fired hit his legs only. And then GEO blamed army for an attempt on Mr. Mir's life. If GEO has any proof of army's involvement then it must bring it in the open. If not then this channel must be shut down.
Lol. They seems so powerless to put a hand on this local anti-pakistan tv channel operating from within this country.. My goodness.
We totally support ISPR in this stand.. Geo tv has gone mad. How can they level such accusations without any proof... we don't need any Judiciary / investigation... just ask Geo tv.... the tax evaders!!
What will happen: They both will go to the court. More tensions will be created between the army and the civil government. Absolutely no one will be convicted or held responsible. MQM will try to suckup to the army as much as possible. Geo News and Hamid Mir will get all the attention (=money) they need. The nation will get further divided. And soon everybody will forget that this ever happened... This is Pakistan
What a match! the country's most premium intelligence agency against arguably the biggest media giant. Crossing my fingers for a lots of revelation to be made consequently.
Totally agree. This channel is not worth being broadcast in Pakistan. Geo doesn't have ethics toward national interest. This is should be BANNED and all its journalists should be trial for treason and put behind bars.
Pakistani govt should ban Jang and geo group of industries...
All those who blame our intelligence agencies and their chief must be put on trail for their baseless claims.
From dividing this country in half to hanging politicians to jailing lawyers and judges, is there anything else left in their book of 'legal actions' ?
So now the shot victim will be punished and the accused perpetrator will roam free.