The axe falls: Govt steps in to rescue Geo

Private members vote to suspend Geo licences till May 28; government members abstain from meeting and call it illegal


Our Correspondent May 20, 2014
Since more than four members attended Tuesday’s meeting there was no question of the quorum being incomplete. DESIGN: FILE

ISLAMABAD:


In an attempt to grant the embattled Geo/Jang Group a reprieve on Tuesday, the government raised doubts about the legitimacy of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s earlier move to suspend the licences of Geo News, Geo Tez and Geo Entertainment.


Hours after several members of Pemra had announced the suspension of the three television channels till May 28, the authority disowned the decisions announced by its ‘three members’ in a press statement issued by its spokesman.

“All private members have decided, while keeping Pemra rules, constitution and national security in view, to immediately suspend licences of Geo News, Geo Entertainment and Geo Tez,” said Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra)  member Mian Shams after the regulatory body’s 97th scheduled meeting.



“We have issued directions to the director general (operations) to seal their offices,” another member Israr Abbasi added. “The authority could also ask the police for assistance in implementation of the decision.”

Additionally, the meeting decided to send “four licences of Geo TV to the interior ministry for security clearance” as there were allegations of ‘[promoting] anti-state agenda and [receiving] foreign funding against the group.

The meeting was attended by five private members: Mian Shams from Punjab, Israr Abbasi from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Fariha Iftikhar from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Shama Parveen Magsi from Balochistan and Zeba Hussain from Sindh. However, ex-officio members, who represent the government, once again didn’t show up.

Shams said that Geo’s licences will remain suspended till May 28 when the authority meets again to take a final decision over the issue. Till then, the meeting asked the Council of Complaints, to submit its opinion for a decision over revocation of Geo’s licence, he added.



“We could have taken the decision during the last meeting but the government members were absent, therefore, we provided them an opportunity to attend the next meeting. But it did not happen,” he said. The private members want the government members to attend the next meeting so that an amicable decision could be taken.

Israr Abbasi condemns govt move

The government’s last-minute rescue act was condemned by Israr Abbasi who questioned both the identity of the Pemra spokesman and his authority to issue the statement in favour of Geo TV network. He rubbished the spokesman’s claims, pointing out that since more than four members attended Tuesday’s meeting there was no question of the quorum being incomplete. He cautioned that Pemra members would turn to the police authorities to enforce the suspension if the errant TV channels did not so themselves.

At the same time, Abbasi accused the government of trying to sabotage the Pemra members’ meeting. They switched off the airconditioning system and did other things to discourage us from holding our meeting, he added.

Earlier, Shams alleged that Mir Shakilur Rehman (MSR), the owner of Independent Media Group, had tried to influence the members for a favourable decision. “During the 94th meeting MSR made telephone calls to all the members, including me, but I did not attend his call,” he added.

“Pemra is an independent organisation, and it would have been better if a government representative attended today’s meeting as well and help us come up with a decision,” he said.

Once the recommendations come back, a special committee will be formed to make a final decision regarding Geo TV’s licences, he said. During the next meeting, powers of the committee would be decided so that it could officiate till the time the court decides the case of former Pemra chairman Chaudhry Rashid or a new chairman was appointed.

Commenting on the absence of government members from Tuesday’s meeting, Abbasi said that “they want to save their skin therefore they opted not to be part of today’s meeting.”

Asked about the legal opinion of the law ministry which the authority had sought in its last meeting, Abbasi said, “There is no need for the ministry’s opinion.” However, he said Geo TV has the right to file an appeal in the high court against the decision.

The authority observations

a.) Violations committed by Geo News are severe in nature and tantamount to proceed revocation License No. 10-2 (79) STV 2007 dated 22.5. 2008 issued to M/s Independent Media Corporation, hence both the reports Annex- A & B along with all their annexures are hereby sent to COC Islamabad for its opinion under section 30 of PEMRA Act 2007.

b.) The Pemra record shows that five licenses of different categories have been issued to Geo Group (mother and sister companies). The allegation of foreign funding and anti-Pakistan agenda on Geo Group levelled by the ministry of defence, ISI and other important sectors of society cannot be thrown away. The fairness and security of the country demand that the ministry of interior once again give security clearance to all the four licenses issued to Geo while the fifth license of Geo Super be sent to Pemra for approval.

c.) The decision has been provided to the authority’s secretary so that he may pass it on to the relevant departments for implementation.

Pemra employees who are not cooperating under an invisible pressure should be informed about the minutes of the meeting through email.

‘PEMRA spokesman’s claims’

“The majority authority members in the 95th meeting held on May 9, 2014 had decided to refer the case to the ministry of law for legal opinion. The decision of seeking opinion from the law division was taken in all fairness to avoid any future legal consequences in such a critical issue,” a Pemra statement said.

It clarified that Tuesday’s meeting was convened without following the laid down procedures and thus had no legal standing. “According to Rule 3(4) of Pemra Rules 2009, the chairman, or as the case may be more than half of the total members can call the meeting, ie, out of 12 members at least seven can call a meeting.”

According to the press statement, Tuesday’s meeting was informal which was attended by five members. The executive member was not even asked to officially convene the meeting and notify it through the authority’s secretary which is the laid down procedure, it added.

“The meeting convened by these members is without any official intimation or invitation to other members in accordance with the procedure,” it said. Pemra committee is functioning and is exercising the power of chairman in day-to-day affairs and taking decisions with requisite quorum.

Cable operators protest

Earlier in the day, cable operators from across the country staged a protest outside the Pemra headquarters and demanded action against Geo TV under Section 27 of the Pemra Ordinance.

All Pakistan Cable Operators Association Chairman Khalid Arain led the protest where fired-up protesters chanted slogans against the television station. He said the cable operators were facing threats from proscribed organisations who wanted Geo TV blocked.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2014.

COMMENTS (3)

Aik_Paki | 9 years ago | Reply

@Last Word: You are suggesting to make an underhand deal - typical Pakistani style settlement. Come on please grow up by fellow Pakistani's

Last Word | 9 years ago | Reply

ET Fighting a war with your rival at someone's behest for personnel gains is not going to pay off as your rival is too powerful. By doing this, you have lost your own identity as well as the viewers who always appreciated your bold reporting without being influenced. Please be pragmatic and seek truce with Geo who appears to be ready for the same.

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