Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) monitored different newspapers and television channels from July 11 to 17 and covered the following media related news: Imran Khan denies the news about his third marriage, PTI files complaint with PEMRA against television channels, PEMRA imposes fine on TV channels, defamation case filed against anchoreperson Mubasher Lucman, PFUJ Unification Committee’s final meeting, APP directed to tackle anti-Pakistan propaganda, death news of scholar and broadcaster Agha Nasir and Journalist Mohammad Gul Bangash, Khairpur Press Panel session and Khairpur Press Club annual elections, and Pakistani channels banned in Indian-held Kahsmir.
Throughout the week, PPF found 83 news, tickers, headlines and programmes on electronic media while covering following TV channels: 92 News, Aaj News, Abb Takk, ARY News, Capital TV, Dawn News, Dunya News, Express News, Geo News, Jaag News, Khyber News, KTN, Neo News, NewsOne, Samaa, and TV One.
There were 59 news stories, editorials, articles and pictures in 15 daily newspapers in English and Urdu languages that include Dawn, The News, The Nation, Express Tribune, Business Recorder, Pakistan Today, Regional Times, Jang, Dunya, Roznama Express, Nawa-e-Waqt, Pakistan, Intikhab, Quami Akhbar, Aman, and Roznama Pakistan.
Imran Khan denies the news about his third marriage
Jang on July 13 reported while Samaa, Jaag, Express News, AAJ News, ARY News, Geo, and Dawn News channels aired breaking news, headlines, tickers, detailed news, where as 92 News channel in ‘Muqabil’, Aaj News in ‘Pakistan at 7’, ARY News in ‘The Reporters’, Capital TV in ‘News Plus’, Geo News in ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Ke Sath’ discussed on July 12 that Imran Khan has refuted the news on media about his third marriage.
PTI files complaint with PEMRA against television channels
In other news stories, Dawn, Pakistan Today, Business Recorder, Jang, Roznama Pakistan, Amn, Nawa-i-Waqt, Roznama Express, and The News on July 14 reported that PTI has filed a complaint with PEMRA against television channels for airing news about purported third marriage of its chairman Imran Khan.
Iftikhar Durrani, head of PTI’s central media department, handed over the complaint to PEMRA Chairman Absar Alam.
The PTI also criticized PEMRA as saying: “PEMRA remained a silent spectator to the hostility being carried out against PTI chairman and ignored its obligations under the law which certainly is an offence and cannot be over-looked.”
PEMRA said tha it has received the PTI’s complaint and referred it to the Council of Complaints (CoC). The CoC is scheduled to meet in Islamabad on July 15 for hearing the complaint.
The Nation on July 17 reported that PEMRA’s Council of Complaints Islamabad on July 16 held the first hearing of the PTI’s complaint against airing of purported news of PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s wedding, and complainant Iftikhar Durrani ignored the PEMRA hearing and did not appear before the Council of CoC. Durrani submitted a complaint with PEMRA against 25 private television channels for airing false news regarding marriage of party chairman Imran Khan on July 13, 2016.
Roznama Pakistan on July 15 published an article with the title “Imran Khan Case mei PEMRA ka faisla mustakbil ke liye rehnumayi ka bais ban sakta hai” written by Qudratullah Chaudhry. In his article he gave his analysis on the current issue of news about Imran Khan’s 3rd marriage and denial of PTI chairman claiming the news is fake and also party also approached PEMRA to take action against the news channels. The writer said, television channels assumed about the girl with whom Imran Khan is getting married and also searched for the picture and troubled a woman who don’t even know Imran Khan neither Imran Khan knows her.
PEMRA imposes fine on channels
The News, The Nation, Jang, and Amn on July 17 reported that PEMRA Council of Complaints (CoC) held a meeting under the chairmanship of Shamim Humayun, imposing a fine of Rs 800,000 on ARY News for levelling a baseless allegation against Finance Minister Ishaq Dar by anchorperson Shahid Masood in his programme aired on February 19. The council gave 14 days to the channel for paying the fine. It also directed the accused party to seek apology over the baseless allegations in the same programme.
The CoC also imposed a fine of Rs 800,000 on ARY News and Sach TV for programmes ‘Sawal Yeh Hai K’ hosted by Dr Danish (February 7) and ‘Goya’ by Arsalan Khalid (February 28) respectively, on a complaint submitted by Ziauddin Yousaf zai, father of Malala Yousafzai. The complainant said he and her daughter were defamed in the above mentioned programmes and had declared blasphemers that had raised the threat to their lives, which they had already been facing.
Defamation case filed against anchoreperson Mubasher Lucman
A local judge in Islamabad ordered to issuance of bailable warrants for anchorperson Mubasher Lucman and directed him to appear before the court in the next hearing of the case.
Geo on July 15 aired a detailed news while The News and Jang on July 15 reported that the Additional District and Sessions Judge Syed Faizan Haider Gilani was hearing a case related to defaming Geo/Jang Group through unjustified allegations. The Independent Media Corporation (Pvt) Ltd through Amir Abdullah Abbasi Advocate has filed a petition against private television channel ARY and its management over their attempts to defame Geo/Jang Group. On July 14, Sabir and Bhatti appeared on behalf of ARY, while the TV channel’s counsel told the court that Lucman had left the media house. On this, the court ordered issuance of bailable arrest warrants for Lucman.
PFUJ Unification Committee’s final meeting
The News on July 14 and Dawn on July 16 reported that the PFUJ Unification Committee (UC) has decided to call a final meeting of all stakeholders comprising all former presidents and secretary generals of the national body on July 23 in Islamabad.
The UC finalized a number of alternate proposals on how best to go about completing the final stages of the unification process started almost 10 months ago and ask for a consent of the stakeholders at the final meeting on one of these proposals.
APP directed to tackle anti-Pakistan propaganda
Standing Committee of National Assembly on Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage has directed the Managing Director (MD) of Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) to tackle the negative propaganda against Pakistan in the foreign media.
Business Recorder on July 15 reported that after a comprehensive meeting, the Standing Committee gave these directions. The committee meeting was held under the chairmanship of Pir Muhammad Aslam.
MD APP in his briefing said that video news service which was officially launched in October 2015 is well-positioned to cater to the needs of news channels. This is a major leap in increasing and enhancing the agency’s role in the national media by providing a clean feed on major developments and vital events for the electronic media organizations within the country and abroad.
Media Obituary
Scholar and broadcaster Agha Nasir’s demise Former Managing Director (PTV), a renowned scholar and broadcaster Agha Nasir passed away at a hospital in Islamabad on July 12.
ARY News aired a detailed news and Dawn news channel in their programme ‘Bol Bol Pakistan’ discussed on July 12 while The Nation, Business Recorder, Dawn, Pakistan Today, The News, Jang, Roznama Express, Roznama Pakistan, Amn, Dunya, Intikhab, Nawa-i-Waqt on July 13 and Nawa-i-Waqt in a follow up news on July 14 reported whereas Roznama Express on July 14 published an article over the death of Agha Nasir.
Agha Nasir started his career as a broadcaster for Pakistan Radio in 1955. He had also given directions for Pakistani movies and worked with film stars including Waheed Murad and Talat Iqbal. Apart from directions, he was also admired for his best writings. His play Taleem-e-Balighan is considered to be one of the best stage dramas. He also received President’s Pride of Performance Award.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed heartfelt condolence over the death of Agha Nasir. In his condolence message, PM said, “Pakistan has lost a great asset. His contribution to the field of arts and culture, especially in establishing Pakistan Television would be remembered for all times to come.”
President Mamnoon Hussain, Information Minister Pervez Rasheed, Federal Minister for Political Affairs Maula Bux Chandio, Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto, former President Asif Ali Zardari, PTV’s Chairman Ataul Haq Qasmi and many other renowned personalities also expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of Agha Nasir.
Roznama Express on July 15 reported that a condolence reference was held at the University of Karachi’s Mass Communication Department for the renowned broadcaster Agha Nasir. Professor Dr. Seemi Naghmana Tahir, Dr Tahir Masood and Professor Tauseef Ahmed Khan paid tribute to Agha Nasir. Tahir Masood said, “Agha Nasir was not only a great producer but also a good writer. He wrote six books on different topics.”
Journalist Mohammad Gul Bangash
The News on July 16 reported that senior journalist and Katlang Press Club’s ex-president, Mohammad Gul Bangash passed away on July 14. He was laid to rest in his native village Ghundo Shamozai in Katlang Tehsil on July 15. Notables of the area, relatives, friends, journalists, elected representatives, and government officials attended his funeral. Bangash remained in journalism field for three decades. He was the correspondent for Peshawar’s Urdu daily Mashriq.
Khairpur Press Penal session
Intekhab and Roznama Pakistan on July 11 reported that Khairpur Press Panel session was held under the presidentship of Asif Zaidi. During the session, participants condemned the unacceptable behavior of members of Pakistan Muslim League (Functional) and neglecting the journalists. The meeting decided to boycott news related to PML-F.
Condolence reference over the death of greatest philanthropist and social worker Abdul Sattar Edhi was also organized during the session. Speaking on the occasion, journalists said that the nation has lost greatest humanitarian and social leader. In this entire world, no one can be like Abdul Sattar Edhi.
Khairpur Press Club elections
Amn on July 14 and Intekhab on July 16 reported that the annual elections of Khairpur Press Club will be held on July 18. Ghulam Qadir Soomro, Khan Muhammad Khan, and Asif Zaidi have been nominated as candidates for President slot. For General Secretary seat, nominated candidates are Khan Muhammad Solangi, Ubaid Shah, and Khadim Kalhoro.
Pakistani channels banned in Indian-held Kahsmir
Nawa-i-Waqt and Amn on July 17 reported that Pakistani television channels and Indian channels covering Kashmir issue were banned in Indian-held Kashmir, while newspapers publishing was also stopped. Police stopped distributors from circulating newspapers and also seized the copies of newspapers from them.