Geo News suspended for 15 days in Pakistan for anti-ISI move
It was reported that the ISI spy agency was behind the shooting of Geo News talk show host and celebrity journalist Hamid Mir who was injured in the gun attack on 19 April 2014 in Karachi, by unknown men while on his way to the Geo Office in Karachi..
Criticism of Army or spy agency ISI is almost forbidden in Pakistan, a country that witnessed several military coups in the past.
Geo News sourcing PEMRA spokesman reported that its license was suspended on a complaint filed by the Defence Ministry earlier. Geo News reported that it has also been fined Rs 10 million to be paid before the expiry of the suspension period.
The order stated that in case of non-payment of fine, the suspension of the license will continue. The authority further decided that in case of repeated violation by Geo News, proceedings for the revocation of the license will be initiated, the channel website reported.
Geo News said it had already apologised and was not provided any evidence nor was its stance heard by PEMRA.
Geo has been condemned unheard for the last 45 days and all channels were shut in 90 percent of areas. Despite Supreme Court orders issued on May 26, PEMRA did not restore Geo on cable networks. Even Geo Kahani, Geo Entertainment, Geo Tez and Geo Super were shut.
"The Geo/Jang Group has been the victim of numerous attacks. Newspaper vans have been burnt, reporters and editors beaten up and attacked. No one has given Geo/Jang any justice," reported the channel.
"The government, parliament, senate and even Imran Khan had promised that Geo should not be closed. Civil society was also against the closure of Geo."
"Geo has already been shut for 45 days and after PEMRA’s decision to suspend its license the channel will be shut for 60 days. During the November 3, 2007 emergency imposed by the then president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, Geo was shut for ninety days."
Some analysts have described PEMRA’s decision against Geo as comparable to a coup, according to the channel.
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