Gen Faiz accused of media manipulation during Faizabad sit-in

Ex-Pemra chief says former DG ISI pushed for action against Najam Sethi, advocated for complete ban on Haqqani

Our Correspondent October 31, 2023

PHOTO: EXPRESS

ISLAMABAD:

In a startling revelation, Absar Alam, the former chairman of the Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), has submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court, alleging that the former director-general of ISI, Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, exerted pressure on him and manipulated the broadcasting landscape during the Faizabad sit-in organised by the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in 2017.

In his affidavit, Alam stated that Gen Faiz consistently put pressure on the media regulatory authority, as well as television channels, by altering the channel numbers and controlling broadcasts through cable networks.

According to the former Pemra chairman, Gen Faiz pushed for action against prominent media figure Najam Sethi and advocated for a complete ban on Hussain Haqqani. Despite these pressures, Alam and his team did not comply with Gen Faiz's instructions, he maintained.

Alam further revealed that in April 2017, he had formally informed then prime minister Nawaz Sharif, then army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa, and the then chief justice of the Supreme Court, Saqib Nisar, about the ongoing situation.

In his communication, he highlighted that Pemra officials were being subjected to undue pressure due to their refusal to implement these instructions, emphasising that such coercion was illegal.

During the Faizabad sit-in on November 25, Alam recounted how he received a request from the Ministry of Interior to shut down a private TV channel.

He complied with the request, but this action triggered a series of inquiries from Gen Faiz and his subordinates. They questioned the closure of the private TV channel and demanded an explanation.

Gen Faiz and his team reportedly issued an ultimatum: either reopen the broadcasting of the private TV channel or halt the broadcast of all TV channels.

In response, Alam asserted that he did not yield to any illegal orders. He clarified that the decision to close the channels was made in accordance with the written policy instructions of the federal government