Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan addressing the press conference on Saturday. PHOTO: INP
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan alleged on Saturday that the Independent Media Group, which owns Geo TV, is a defaulter of billions of rupees and its owner, Mir Shakilur Rehman, is accruing funds from foreign countries to promote their agenda in Pakistan.
Addressing a news conference after a meeting of PTI’s core committee at his residence on the edge of the federal capital, Imran demanded the government conduct an audit of the assets owned by Mir Shakil, who “blackmails national institutions to protect his financial interests”.
The PTI chief made a number of demands, including an unconditional apology by Mir Shakil for, what he called, airing controversial content in Geo TV’s morning show, conducting media trial of the ISI chief and receiving funds from foreign countries to promote their agenda in Pakistan.
“Mir Shakil owes billions of rupees to National Bank of Pakistan, Sindh Revenue Department, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) and other institutions, but he uses his media outlets to blackmail these institutions when they demand their dues,” said Imran.
He alleged that Mir Shakil has received millions of dollars from the US State Department, Voice of America and other organisations ever since the war on terror began.
Mir Shakil also received funds from India for the ‘Aman Ki Asha’ campaign to promote Indian interests in Pakistan, Imran further alleged. “He lives in Dubai in a house worth Rs5 billion and owns expensive cars, while promoting a war agenda in the country.”
The PTI chief also alleged that former Pemra chief Chaudhry Rasheed was sacked on Mir Shakil’s desire. Under Pemra rules, a single group can be allowed to get licences for four TV channels, but Geo was given five licences in violation of rules, Imran pointed out.
He also accused the government of using Geo TV as its ‘B-team’. On the issue of holding rights to telecast international cricket, he said that Mir Shakil had unfair business practices. The fact that state-owned PTV did not take part even in the bidding clearly shows that the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Geo/Jang Group were in collusion, Imran maintained.
“When Geo conducted a media trial of the ISI chief for eight hours, the defence ministry filed a complaint to Pemra, but surprisingly the information ministry came to its rescue,” he said. “The propaganda against ISI was also on the directives of Mir Shakil to fulfil the agenda of certain countries.”
The PTI chairman added that the understanding between PML-N and Geo/Jang Group is also reflected in the Federal Bureau of Revenue’s tax notice to Najam Sethi of over Rs2 million in July 2012 and the subsequent acceptance of the appeal by FBR in January this year. He demanded the government investigate the group’s ‘financial irregularities’ as per the law.
Mir Shakil should not only tender an apology to the nation for pushing a foreign-funded agenda but also to him for the recent vilification campaign against him, claimed Imran.
“But worst of all, Geo has hurt the religious sentiments of the people by airing a particular morning-show episode that contravenes Pemra laws and the constitution.” He said that PTI will continue to boycott Geo TV until it apologises to the party and the nation.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 18th, 2014.
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Imran khan has a big problem that he is not greedy like other politician in pakistan he is content what he has I know him more personally and I am very positive that he is true gentleman and politician who actually does has vision for pakistan he talk about the basic which we need to correct to make our base stronge and make this country strong New government is doing what every one is doing since pakistan born we need to change the basic problem to make infrastructure more stronger like justice we have not justic at all even election process were totaly rigged and no body is ready to solve this a true politician is ready to sacrifice for his country we are even not ready for sacrifice for our party . We have to think we are on edge if we will not change now then it will be late to make change We have to think think and think about this change your Mind and do something for future for this country roads metro bridges will never make country prosper but only when you have justice education health bribe less department peace in the country then automatically the country get prosper and every other issue will be done very easily but our politician dosent have. Even vision which issue should be first because they just want to pass their term with all possible means but not with future vision .moterway in pakistan is more then 20 years I did it see any change in pakistan because of that we are not the superior nation in the world because of that same after making bus metro or flyover or metro will never change the pakistan if you wanna change this country change police change education change health system implement law for everyone tax reform get rid off bribery and all other basic issue and after that your destination is so near and we will be proud nation. I believe imran khan is doing very well in khyber Pakhtuns and he is trying to make base their. Pakistan zindabad
Nothing has changed at the media outlet except that Khan doesn't like their coverage of him ... the real question is why Khan has never said anything in the past. He's a self righteous, shallow, self serving politician - not much different than his competition.
Ikhan sahab you don't seem to have problem taking money from Indian channels when you go to India make speeches how its so important for Pakistan and India to improve their relationship and for pak to make India Its preferred trade partner! You've really started to fall lower every day
Imran Khan spoke like a true Patriot. He has never accused the middle order reporters of GEO like Mr. Iftikhar Ahmed. I wonder why Mr. Iftikhar Ahmed is taking his criticism personally. The issue is with the heavy hitters like Najam Sethi and Ansar Alam, not with the likes of Sohail Waraich and Hasan Nisar who we do consider as professional journalists.
Way to go Khan