Anti-Geo sentiment: Protest but don’t break the law, says Altaf

'Geo/Jang group should have cooled down the public anger by offering an apology,' says MQM chief.

KARACHI:

Referring to the recent protests taking place against Geo/Jang group, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain has said that people should not be allowed to break the law under the guise of protests.

According to ‘an emergency statement’ issued from London on Thursday, he said, “For the last few months, a segment of the population has been protesting against Geo Television because they think the media house broke the journalistic code of conduct and [compromised on] ethics while discussing high officials of intelligence agencies in their programmes.” Their style of reporting and discussion has generated a wave of anger among people, the MQM chief added.

“Geo/Jang group should have cooled down the public anger by offering an apology. Unfortunately, some elements within their management followed the policy of confrontation. This policy increased tension and polarised public opinion on the issue,” Altaf said.

It was the fundamental right of a person to stage peaceful protests on small or big issues and people should hold their protests within the limits of the law, the constitution and moral standards.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2014.