Cable operators to protest against roughhousing by reporters

Cable operators association say they are getting threats, want government to provide them security.

KARACHI: Issuing an appeal for security owing to threats, Chairperson cable operators association Khalid Arain has asked Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to shut down Geo TV immediately, while extending supporting to a Fatwa issued by Sunni-Shia Ittehad council. 

The fatwa had declared watching of the channel as forbidden.

Arain was speaking at his second press conference on Friday, after the first one had descended into fisticuffs with reporters at the Karachi Press Club earlier in the day.

The head of cable operators said that they had received complaints and threats. Arain advised members of his association to to act as per their own individual moral compass, and due assessment of the risk to their life and property.

Earlier in the day, reporters from Geo and Jang group repeatedly interrupted Arain during his press conference at the Karachi Press Club. Despite repeated requests by Arain that the reporters wait for the question and answer session to ask their questions, the reporters took on an accusatory tone against Arain and fellow association members before it blew into a fledged altercation.

In the safety of their office later on Friday evening, Arain said that the “mistreatment of cable operators by Geo staff has brought forward its real face”.

“Geo Tv had initially targetted Pakistan army and now they are producing blasphemous content. Geo channel should be banned immediately.”

The chairperson further complained that the government was no where to be seen during the whole episode.

He warned that cable operators will start a nationwide protest against the hooliganism of Geo reporters from Saturday.