Pemra a weak institution: Haji Adeel
KARACHI: Pemra is a weak institution, said Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Haji Muhammad Adeel, commenting on the efforts to shut down Geo TV. He told The News his party the ANP believes in press freedom and will oppose every effort to ban Geo TV. He said the judicial commission’s report on the attack on Hamid Mir should be awaited as it will uncover hidden facts.
He said gags were imposed on Geo TV in the past too and his party had opposed them at the time too, making the closure of Geo TV a distant dream. He said Pemra is a weak institution and the judicial commission should have been accessed instead of putting forward an application to Pemra. He said the Pemra decision could be challenged. He said the country needs a free media and the media should also adopt an attitude of equality.
He said Geo TV made Imran Khan a hero in the past which was a mistake. He said small parties should also be given coverage as they are in support of a free media. He said attempts to ban Geo TV will damage the reputation of the country at the international level.
Leader of the House in the Senate Raja Zafrul Haq told this scribe that the attack on Hamid Mir is unfortunate, and it could have cost his life. He said nobody is ready to confess to their mistakes. He said the report of the judicial commission should be awaited. He said in the present state, the country could not afford the steps and tactics being used to close down Geo TV. He said the attack on Mir and later attempts to shut down the media house were an ugly stain on the country.
Former SC Judge Wajeehuddin said a middle course should be adopted as the overuse of anything is dangerous. Told that his party, the Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf, has also turned against Geo TV, he said he has issued this statement in his personal capacity. He said his personality is more (valuable) than his position in the party.
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