Khawaja Asif. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
The defence secretary Lt-Gen (retd) Asif Yasin Malik had sent a strong-worded and stern reference to defence minister Khwaja Asif, who then approved it to send forward to Pemra.
Asif himself was under fire a few days ago for his remarks against former president Gen. (retd) Pervez Musharraf.
The reference alleges that Geo TV has violated the code of conduct set by Pemra, and seeks the immediate suspension of the channel's licence. A cancellation of the licence has been sought upon completion of the investigation into the matter.
The following is the text of the reference obtained by The Express Tribune:
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@Rex Minor first of all please don't interfere in our matters and secondly Media can't cross the boundary step by Pemra. Geo news crossed all the limits and blame the head of ISI without any proof or reason because if ISI wanted to kill this man then they would have because ISI shot to kill so its not the work of ISI i can say for sure that some third party attacked him because when PM visit the passing out parade and proof to the world that there is not rift between army and the Govt and this attack happening on the same day is biggest proof that third party is involved in it.
everybody is equal before law of the land and the said channel can now respond to these allegations or the reference. lets see it through the lens of law only.
@AJKhan
You will fall sir with those whom you place above the 'freedom of expression' which are guaratnteed by the free press!
Rex Minor.
Geo should be banned permanently.
Well done! Hope they will also charge GEO for treason!
Please register a case for blasphemy. How dare they speak bad of the gods of war!
This is a test case whether blackmailers, slanderers & defamers with abundance of ill gotten money be brought to justice or will they continue and defame any one in Pakistan without any stoppage. We stand with the defenders of Pakistan & not a "seth" of a company
Pakistan democracy versus the Army independence is now on trial. There can not be two Alphas in a country. The retired army General must be sent home together with the Defence Minister before cancelling licences of the Pakistan media, which is the nourishment for the very soul of a Democracy. There cannot be transparency without the media in a democracy and cannot be a democracy without the independent Media.
Rex Minor
The role of the Government is very mature between the extreme-hyped pressure groups spewing their conspiracy theories everyday.
Sad for Hamid Mir but electronic media in Pakistan generally cross all boundaries without limit. The action has been late but correct by the state.
I love how everything is being done within the parameter of rules & regulations. Well Done MoD
LOL, altaf should read his own statements from the last 3 decades about the 'establishment'. then he'll know what it means to blame without an investigation
And you realized that after 3 days? What was stopping the Govt. to say this just after the incident happened? Why it took them 3 days to state that whatever was going on Geo TV was totally wrong?
Mr Nisar who will tell us fact; how did Mr Mir got hurt? If our agencies are clean why donot they are not able to arrest the real person!! something is Dal mein kala...
Didn't he give this statement bit too early?
PML N playing both sides. Nisar condemned Geo for its negative propaganda while Pervez rasheed sides withGEO
Finally, some sanity by the government. The silence in this matter was equivalent of supporting those who are accusing ISI.
Too little too late Sir. We know whose side you are on.
it took 4 days for the govt.to come with statement...where is the defense minister
This statement from Interior Minister is TOO LATE. There should be a RULE to stop this media from making false propaganda against Pakistan Army and ISI - but unfortunately we are working for the human rights of terrorists and traitors - after all we are having independent and very efficient media which broadcasts news senselessly. Let’s see if ET prints it or not actually nobody like criticism.
Well Done Minister! Now this is authoritative source
Not much of Army's fan but what Geo did was really shocking and detestable. It was well planned campaign against ISI and they tried to gather all the support from other channels as well but by Sunday evening it started to backed fire as no one supported them and now they clearly are on the receiving end. Even some of the army critics are giving them a shut up call on social media. surprising change
The fact that the Defense Minister could not bring himself to make this statement is proof positive that he is unfit for the job and should be replaced immediately. Ch. Nisar should be made the Defense Minister, or the PM should choose someone else who is better qualified and can have good relations within the forces. The Khawaja must go.
Thank you Mr. Interior Minister. You have, although belatedly, given the right statement and response. The BIG question is why did the Defense Department and its minister not issue this statement and why did it take so many days to finally appear from the Interior ministry?
How weak our defence institutions are that a mere sentence can open up opportunities for enemies to exploit!
Nice said Mr. Interior Minister hope for good. :)
Different leaders of PMLN are saying different things depending upon their closeness or not with establishment.