Growing controversy: Lawmakers rail against Geo for content in morning show
Parliamentarians urge govt to take serious action against channel, TV show host.
A file photo of the National Assembly. PHOTO: APP
ISLAMABAD:
Lawmakers recommended punitive action against Geo TV on Friday for airing a series of controversial programmes in recent days, condemning the broadcast of objectionable content on the channel.
The lower house later prorogued for an indefinite time as a lawmaker pointed to the quorum when Water and Power Minister Khawaja Asif was wrapping up his speech on load-shedding.
The deputy speaker had to read out the prorogation order, as the required condition of two-thirds of the house being present was not met.
Earlier, Jamaat-e-Islami’s parliamentary leader in the National Assembly, Sahibzada Tariqullah, condemned Geo TV’s controversial morning show episode and proposed a condemnation resolution from the house, but the same was not passed. By airing such an unethical content in the morning show Geo TV has hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims across the world.
Tariqullah pointed out that this was not the first time the channel had aired such an objectionable programme, it has been committing such acts repeatedly.
“I urge this house to bring a condemnation resolution against Geo TV and its anchorperson to take serious action,” he urged members of the house. “I fear that today is Friday and millions of Muslims will take to the streets in protest against the channel.”
Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the chief of his own faction of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, also endorsed Tariqullah’s comments and strongly condemned the morning show, Utho Jago Pakistan. “Nobody can be permitted to disrespect the companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his family members,” he maintained.
Maulana Fazl said the apology is a different matter and the real question is how we can control such series of acts by the TV channel and how long we will tolerate such mistakes. He called upon the government to direct the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to control the TV channels, which are involved in such unethical and unacceptable activities.
Interestingly, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Murtaza Abbasi did not allow independent MNA Jamsheed Dasti to speak on the same issue.
MQM walkout
MQM parliamentarians staged a walkout in protest against withholding a national identity card and a Pakistani passport to party chief Altaf Hussain.
On a point of order, MQM lawmaker Asif Hasnain decried the government for not issuing the identification documents, alleging that some minister created rifts among political parties because of his ‘ego’.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 17th, 2014.
Lawmakers recommended punitive action against Geo TV on Friday for airing a series of controversial programmes in recent days, condemning the broadcast of objectionable content on the channel.
The lower house later prorogued for an indefinite time as a lawmaker pointed to the quorum when Water and Power Minister Khawaja Asif was wrapping up his speech on load-shedding.
The deputy speaker had to read out the prorogation order, as the required condition of two-thirds of the house being present was not met.
Earlier, Jamaat-e-Islami’s parliamentary leader in the National Assembly, Sahibzada Tariqullah, condemned Geo TV’s controversial morning show episode and proposed a condemnation resolution from the house, but the same was not passed. By airing such an unethical content in the morning show Geo TV has hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims across the world.
Tariqullah pointed out that this was not the first time the channel had aired such an objectionable programme, it has been committing such acts repeatedly.
“I urge this house to bring a condemnation resolution against Geo TV and its anchorperson to take serious action,” he urged members of the house. “I fear that today is Friday and millions of Muslims will take to the streets in protest against the channel.”
Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the chief of his own faction of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, also endorsed Tariqullah’s comments and strongly condemned the morning show, Utho Jago Pakistan. “Nobody can be permitted to disrespect the companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his family members,” he maintained.
Maulana Fazl said the apology is a different matter and the real question is how we can control such series of acts by the TV channel and how long we will tolerate such mistakes. He called upon the government to direct the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to control the TV channels, which are involved in such unethical and unacceptable activities.
Interestingly, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Murtaza Abbasi did not allow independent MNA Jamsheed Dasti to speak on the same issue.
MQM walkout
MQM parliamentarians staged a walkout in protest against withholding a national identity card and a Pakistani passport to party chief Altaf Hussain.
On a point of order, MQM lawmaker Asif Hasnain decried the government for not issuing the identification documents, alleging that some minister created rifts among political parties because of his ‘ego’.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 17th, 2014.