But he was messaging for another reason. He says he is concerned because he received a new round of threats and denunciations related to his plans to attend an upcoming conference in Bangladesh of journalists, hosted by the Bangladeshi newspaper Prothom Alo. Under discussion will be the incidents of 1971, when Bangladesh began its break away from Pakistan, leading to a vicious and bloody secessionist war.

Mir angered his own government when, on November 5 in the Urdu-language Daily Jang newspaper he encouraged Pakistan to issue an official apology to Bangladesh over atrocities of 1971. That re-opened a wound from last year when, while in Bangladesh, he identified the “main culprits,” as he put it, of the bloodbath as a group of Pakistani army officers. “I never spoke against the Pakistan Army, I only mentioned the names of some books written by Pakistan Army officers who confessed atrocities,” Mir said in this weekend’s email message.

“A few hours after my visit to the Bangladesh High Commission some mysterious people dropped CDs containing hate material against me in offices of different newspapers. Many people started tweeting against me and saying ‘Hamid Mir is enemy of Pakistan and agent of Bangladesh,’” he wrote. The CDs contained archival footage of past programs in which he was critical of the government and the military’s policies in Bangladesh.

His concerns for his safety are not overwrought. Remember, this is a man who was targeted for death eight months ago because of his outspoken views. While Mir was still hospitalized, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif established a three-member judicial commission which was supposed to release its report on the murder attempt within three weeks. Six months have passed since that deadline, and there is no report.

The motive for the April shooting remains unclear, but it seems likely to have been linked to Mir’s criticism of Pakistani policy in Baluchistan province, the region bordering Iran and Afghanistan in the west. At the time, he had been critical of the disappearances of Baloch political activists, hitting the issue frequently on his TV programs. A battle between insurgents and counter-insurgents has been waging in Baluchistan for years, and it is playing out in ugly incidents perpetrated by many sides to the conflict.

The result of the April murder attempt: The very outspoken Mir admits to dialing back his on-air rhetorical tone: “I am very careful these days in TV shows, but even then I am getting threatening messages and facing another hate campaign.” For Mir, and his associates, there seems little recourse but to publicize this recent round of accusations in the hope that the publicity will head off another serious attack.

Committee to protect journalists

This interview has been edited for clarity.

CPJ: Hamid, the three-member judicial commission looking into the attempt to kill you on April 19th 2014 was supposed to come up with its findings within three weeks. I know you appeared in front of the panel in Karachi and Islamabad several times, and submitted two affidavits. It’s been almost three months now, when will the commission release its report? Is there dissension within the panel? Have their conclusions been repressed?

Hamid Mir: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was kind enough to visit me in the hospital after the assassination attempt on my life. He told me that the judicial commission comprised of three Supreme Court judges will come up with its findings in three weeks. When I appeared in front of this commission first time in Karachi on a wheelchair, my wounds were still bleeding. I was holding urine and blood bags in my hands. It was the first time in the history of Pakistan that [a living] victim directly accused the head of the most powerful intelligence agency with a lot of evidence in front of three Supreme Court judges. I also produced the reports of CPJ and Amnesty International about attacks on media to the commission. They called me again and I answered their questions for hours despite the fact that I was not able to move and I was also suffering from pain in my bullet wounds. I told judges that I appeared in front of the commission which investigated the murder of the journalist Saleem Shahzad. I told them that I also appeared in front of the commission which investigated the abduction and torture of journalist Umar Cheema but nothing happened. I told them that many judicial commissions in the past had failed to identify attackers and they were inconclusive. I told them that despite bad experiences about these commissions in the past I was appearing in front of a commission which was investigating the attack on my life because first time three Supreme Court judges were sitting there. I completed my appearances within three weeks. It was also the first time that top management of a media house also appeared in front of the commission and confirmed that they were facing pressures from military and intelligence officials to sack me or stop me from highlighting the issues of enforced disappearances, criticism on security agencies for their involvement in violating the human rights and treason trial of former dictator General Pervez Musharraf. Many other journalists, human rights activists, and one retired Army official appeared in front of the commission as a witness and they confirmed my stance about the involvement of powerful intelligence officials in terrorizing and attacking media. During my appearances to the commission one judge asked me a question– why do you people report to CPJ about threats to your life? I told him we contact CPJ because our government and judiciary have failed to provide us security and justice. That judge was more interested about the alleged foreign funding to Pakistani media rather than to investigate the attack on my life. The attitude of other two judges was different. Now more than three months have passed and the judicial commission has failed to come up with its findings. According to my information, Karachi police and security agencies are not cooperating with the commission. They are hiding facts and trying to misguide the commission members. I have seen one report of the Karachi police presented to the commission. It is confusing.

CPJ: I’ve always argued against those sorts of commissions. They are inconclusive, they lack authority to initiate real change, and seem more a way of placating the angry media after an assault takes place. Isn’t there an option to resorting to them, to somehow force the courts to address the incident as a crime and investigate it and prosecute it? It happened in the Wali Khan Babar case to some extent, why can’t it be forced through in other cases? I know the prime suspects are linked to the government in many of these cases, but there still must be some sort of mechanism to pursue the case in court, even if it comes to a stalling point?

HM: You are right. These kind of commissions lack authority. I told the three judges that they must come up with something which can provide safety to media. We need legislation. We need accountability of powerful intelligence agencies. These agencies should be answerable to the elected parliament but in my case it was proved that one intelligence agency was more powerful than the whole government. Banned outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba were demonstrating in support of the [Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)] openly, they were raising slogans against me and my TV channel. … Many federal ministers advised Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif not to support Geo TV. They also asked him that government must take action against Geo TV for naming the head of ISI in the attack on my life. Government was forced to take action against Geo TV for its own survival. Instead of providing justice to me and my TV channel we were implicated in a blasphemy case, we were fined, and transmission of Geo TV was suspended for 15 days.

CPJ: You’re facing a legal onslaught, including two arrest warrants issued by courts in Quetta and Lahore for your reporting. And Geo and its management are under the same sort of attacks from the courts, PEMRA, cable operators, the whole spectrum. Is it just Geo’s coverage on the day you were shot that has angered the establishment, or is there more to it?

HM: My arrest warrant issued from a Lahore court is very interesting. I wrote a column against attack on the editor of Daily Jang in Multan city and I was accused of defaming the Pakistan Army on the basis of that column. I have said it many times that I am not against the Army. I have written columns in praise of those brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives in fighting Taliban, but how can I tolerate the involvement of some intelligence officials in attacks against media? These powerful people wanted to dictate to me. They wanted to use me. When I refused they attacked me. Now they are using their unlimited resources including some black sheep in media not only against me but also against Geo TV. Unfortunately some extremist groups were used to exploit blasphemy allegations against Geo TV. We apologized on that issue but even then we were not pardoned because our actual crime was to raise voice against the brutalities of powerful people. Yes, they want to punish Geo TV for airing the name of ISI head as a suspect in my case, but there is more than that. They want to control the whole Pakistani media and parliament. They terrorized not only me but many colleagues of mine. They threatened our families. They forced my colleagues to leave Geo TV. They also threatened journalists [at] different newspapers and TV channels not to speak in support [of me]. They used cable operators against us. They forced advertising agencies not to give any ads to Geo TV. Geo TV is suffering huge losses. It is becoming difficult for the management to pay salaries [on] time. We are under attack from all directions. The most powerful people failed to eliminate us physically, now they want to eliminate us economically. They want to make a horrible example [of us]. We cannot fight them with guns but at least we have the right to defend and right to exist and we are trying our best to survive. Our struggle is not just for our own survival. We are actually struggling for the freedom of whole Pakistani media. If we don’t survive the freedom of the whole media will go away. Today they have targeted Geo TV but tomorrow they will target those TV channels that were used against us.

CPJ: With attacks on religious minorities, it seems there is a whole wave of religious extremism which the military is not really putting down. It doesn’t seem like the military is behind it, it’s just that the state does not seem to be reacting to it. And the use of blasphemy charges to go after some members of the media in the courts seems related to that. Are we seeing the emergence of a more religiously restrictive, more conservative Pakistan? If that’s true, is it being driven by the grass roots? Or are conservative groups within the government/military/intelligence complex encouraging it, or just stepping back and letting it happen?

HM: I want to make it clear again that the whole Pakistani army is not involved in dirty double games or violating the local laws. Some individuals like Gen. Pervez Musharraf or some bosses of the intelligence agencies have given a bad name to the whole institution. It was very unfortunate that banned outfits like LeT came on the roads a few weeks back with pictures of ISI head in their hands and raising slogans against Geo TV. They were demanding to take action against Geo TV on blasphemy charges. It was clear that supporters of the ISI head were exploiting blasphemy laws against a media house. This attitude encouraged many other extremist groups to attack religious minorities for the same baseless reasons. Civilian government is looking helpless right now. They are under pressure. Some political pygmies are trying to involve the army in politics for becoming big but I think it’s the time that media and civil society must support civil rule and democracy because extremism in Pakistan is the product of military regimes. Criticizing the involvement of some army officials in politics does not mean that I am against the whole army–I think all those who use the Army for achieving some political objectives give a bad name to this institution and they are the real enemies of the Army. Using blasphemy charges against a TV channel to protect an army official is not a good service to the country. Spreading the flames of hatred may save one individual but ultimately these flames can burn the whole country in the fire of extremism.

CPJ: CPJ met with Prime Minister Sharif and Information Minister Pervaiz Rasheed in March. We came away hopeful after we were given assurances the government would address the violence against journalists and the impunity with which it happens. It doesn’t seem like much has changed since our meetings. Are there changes coming, new legislation say, that are just taking time to come into effect? Or has this government walked away from the issue?

HM: PM Nawaz Sharif and Information Minister Pervez Rashid tried their best to fulfill their promises but they have their own limitations. The attack on my life changed the whole scenario. Anti-democratic forces were able to divide media and political parties. First of all Geo TV was under attack and now Nawaz Sharif is under attack. Those federal ministers who were advising Nawaz Sharif to take action against Geo TV for saving the government proved wrong. Some political groups famous for their links with anti-democratic forces are now threatening Nawaz Sharif to resign, otherwise they will replace him with a million [man] march in the capital Islamabad. Nawaz Sharif is fighting for his own political survival. I hope that if he survives then we will demand that he must fulfill his promises made to CPJ.

CPJ: If the government can’t protect journalists from militants or from its own security forces, where can journalists turn for protection? I used to argue that journalists themselves are well organized in Pakistan, and that the media industry for all its flaws, was fairly well united. It seems that since the government’s response to Geo’s coverage of the April attack on you, that solidarity has waned, if not disappeared. Is that accurate? Can the coherence of Pakistan’s media players, from field reporters up to its owners, be regenerated? Did anything like that, in fact, ever exist?

HM: In many cases some journalists just left Pakistan because government failed to protect them from militants and security agencies. I think it’s a short term solution for an individual but it is not a permanent solution [to] a big problem. I am facing security problems [for a long time]. I was asked by many friends and colleagues to leave Pakistan but I refused. I decided to stay in Pakistan because running away is not a good option. I am staying here and trying to survive and giving some hope to my colleagues facing security threats. Our unity is our solution. We were united when Gen. Pervez Musharraf imposed a ban on some TV anchors including me in 2007.We came on the roads and defeated him. We were again united after the murder of journalist Saleem Shahzad. We organized big rallies and joint shows on many TV channels. We forced the government to set up a high powered commission for investigating the murder of Saleem Shahzad. Our unity became a problem for the powerful establishment of Pakistan. Enemies of democracy and free media changed their strategy. They adopted the strategy of divide and rule. Yes some TV anchors said in their shows that I am a traitor because I criticize intelligence agencies, yes banned outfits, cable operators and PEMRA were used against Geo TV, but on the other side working journalists from Karachi to Peshawar came out on the roads with my pictures in their hands. They defied the pressure of those who have guns in their hands and who have banned extremist groups on their side. The journalist community realized that media again need unity. Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) was divided in three groups. These groups now have started talking to each other for unity and trying to remove misunderstandings which were created long ago by the military regime of General Zia-ul-Haq in late 70s. I am still hopeful that unity of media will make a big difference. Surrender is no option.

CPJ: How is your health? I know the shooting took a terrible toll. How far along are you in terms of your recovery?

HM: I got six bullet injuries in my shoulder, lower back, stomach, and both legs. My bladder was damaged. My intestines were damaged. A stent was placed in my kidney. It was difficult for me to sit on a chair. I faced horrible pains. I used a wheelchair for two months, then I started using a walker, then used a stick for many days–now I can move without any help after three months. I still feel pain in my legs because bones in my both legs were damaged. I consulted an orthopedic surgeon in Cromwell Hospital London recently and now I am recovering very fast due to the prayers of millions of people. I have started my TV show again a few days back and proved all those wrong who predicted that Hamid Mir will run away from Pakistan. I am back on the TV screen but still facing pressures. I am sure that people of Pakistan will stand by us in our struggle of survival.

CPJ: What can groups like CPJ accomplish in Pakistan? How do we go about it?

HM: First of all I must say thanks to CPJ for doing an excellent job for the protection of journalists. Enemies of free media in Pakistan are angry with CPJ which means CPJ is doing a good job. CPJ must help and guide us for raising awareness [about] why free media is essential for strengthening the democracy and why Pakistan needs legislation for the protection of media. CPJ engaged not only top government officials but also met Pakistani intelligence officials in the recent past. I will appreciate further engagement of that kind in the future.

Bob Dietz, coordinator of CPJ’s Asia Program, has reported across the continent for news outlets such as CNN and Asiaweek. He has led numerous CPJ missions, including ones to Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. Follow him on Twitter @cpjasia and Facebook @ CPJ Asia Desk.

Committee to Protect Journalists

Andrew Stephenson MP expressed deep reservations about the illegal shutdown of Geo family channels and state-sponsored attacks against Jang and Geo properties and employees by the state and non-state actors who have acted in unison against Geo following the coverage of attack on Geo anchor Hamid Mir.

He said it must be ensured that sanctions are proportionate and also reasonable for what was done. “All media organisations will form time to time sail close to the winds and push the boundaries and the powers-that-be will feel that they have overstepped the mark. However, when that does happen then the banning, fine, sanctions, penalties should be limited and proportionate to the offence committed.

“In the case of Geo, you could quite legitimately argue that the penalties currently being imposed are disproportionate and unfair to the original offence.” Andrew Stephenson MP said it’s very worrying that Geo had been shut down because “freedom of the press is very vital, particularly in Pakistan where there are a range of different opinions on how the country should be run”.

The Conservative Party MP, who has visited Pakistan several times and has advocated Pakistan’s case in the UK parliament with vigour, said: “It’s a real concern that Geo has been taken off the air” and called on the Government of Pakistan to ensure that freedom of the press is upheld in Pakistan.

“What we will be saying to Pakistan is that we are keen to work with Pakistan to ensure that there is a free press, that there is a press that’s free to tackle issues without any fear of persecution or prosecution. Even if there has been a mistake in this case, the Geo has apologised for the mistakes and that should be the end the matter and not the end of the organisation and the livelihood of so many people.

“Geo should be able to continue functioning and be able to broadcast a range of opinions in Pakistan and help with the growing civil society and press freedom that we have in Pakistan at the moment.

The MP from Pendle expressed concern that some elements created hatred against Geo on religious grounds and went on to register blasphemy cases against the channel. He said this was “very dangerous”.

The MP added: “The blasphemy laws in Pakistan have been in place for many years but we have seen in recent years that these laws have been used to persecute Christians, Muslims, minorities and recently the persecution of organisations and we have seen that these laws have been used against media organisations. The fact that blasphemy laws have been used against media organisations like Geo in order to silence them seems a very worrying development.”

The chair of the UK Parliament’s cross-party group on Pakistan said the UK saw Nawaz Sharif as its ally and British PM David Cameron has been very clear that “we want to work with Pakistan and in this govt the amount of aid has been boosted to Pakistan” and the Conservative party parliamentarians, such as Sajjad Karim MEP, have been working hard to develop close trade links between Pakistan and the European Union (EU).

He stressed that Pakistan “has to really look to foster civil society and support free press” and the government has to take lead on all these issues.

“We cannot interfere in the running of the country or the govt but we will hopefully encourage and support Pakistan in supporting freedom of press,” he said, adding that it’ important for any government to have a free press that challenges those in power and helps maintain check and balance.

Andrew Stephenson MP said it will be very worrying and a “matter of grave concern if any media organisation in Pakistan is banned in perpetuity. I think that will be a retrogressive step and an extremely negative thing to happen and at a time when we are seeing so many positive things coming out of Pakistan”.

He said: “It’s positive news that Pakistan’s economy is picking up, trade with the EU is going up. We are seeing so many positive things about the future of the country but if see a media organisation being closed down then that will be a very worrying thing”.

The MP said there are many vested groups in Pakistan that “want to stifle media, free expression and want to close down media that promote debate”.

He said Pakistan needs liberal media to not only challenge the government, but also to help project a “whole range of opinions” and that will not happen if “free expression is not guaranteed without fear of being persecuted”.

Andrew Stephenson MP said Britain gives aid to Pakistan for poverty alleviation and doesn’t want to attach any strings to it but does want Pakistan to “improve links with the civil society, the democratic functions and to stamp out corruption”.

The Conservative MP cautioned that the government must ensure media freedoms. He added: “If as a country we feel that it’s not making progress and slipping backwards in terms of issues of press freedom, corruption and if these issues become worse then we will have to revisit the decisions of some of the projects we have in the country”.

The News

On the 16th day of the gathering to show solidarity with the Geo and Jang Group in Azadi Gali, senior journalists, representatives of the journalists’ organisations and members of the civil society participated in the event. Addressing the participants of the gathering, Mazhar Abbas pointed out that the Geo TV faced the same situation in the year-2007, and at that time the journalist community stood by it and even today it would stand by the channel. If anything wrong has happened then it must be stopped but shutting down a news channel and rendering numerous people jobless was unacceptable, he added. He said that the attack on Hamid Mir was a serious issue.

General Secretary, Pakistan Fisher Folk Forum, Saeed Baloch said despite its forceful closure people still watching Geo News on the internet. Geo News Karachi Bureau Chief Faisal Aziz Khan said Pemra failed to dispense justice, adding that the whole nation stood by Geo and soon its transmission would be restored. Earlier, Pakistan Idol Zamad Baig opened the event with the recitation of a Naat.

The News

According to a press release, most participants apprehended that the threat to press freedom may culminate into a greater threat to overall democratic values and constitutional framework.

Despite serious reservations expressed by some of the participants about the conduct of the media, the participants resolved to defend press freedom and oppose a ban on any media organisation.

The overall view was that with great freedom comer greater responsibility. Media requires a code of conduct without allowing the executive to undermine freedom of expression. The participants emphasised that all state institutions must follow a lawful course instead of resorting to strong arm tactics.

They condemned the attack on Hamid Mir and other journalists and called upon the government to provide security to working journalists. They called upon the media houses not to undermine the media freedom because of their business rivalries.

The participants called for ensuring economic rights and freedom of working journalists. On the current ongoing tussle between Geo and certain state institutions, the participants appealed to the parliament and the government to play their due role in ensuring due process of law. Representatives of PPP, PML-N, ANP, National Party and various media organisations participated in the meeting.

Express Tribune

He said illegal closure of Geo TV will not be accepted. He said no institution is outside the ambit of law. He said there should be rule of law in the country, and if somebody has made a mistake, they should be punished. He said closing down Geo TV on wishes of somebody illegally is contrary to the constitution.

He said organisations are not closed down upon mistakes but mistakes are rectified. He said all institutions of the country made mistakes in the past but no democratic force ever demanded closure of any institution.

He said they would not allow future of thousands of workers of Jang and Geo to be affected in any way. He said shortly after the attack on Hamid Mir, Geo TV was closed in cantonment areas which gave out the message that “they” rule the cantonment areas.

He said parallel government would not be allowed at any cost. He said all institutions are under the government; therefore, they had better remained in their limits. He said the country is being destroyed due to unconstitutional acts and we should learn from history. He said had the government taken a timely step, the situation would not have boiled down to the extent it has now.

The News

He stated that the government of Pakistan should arrest those behind the attack on Hamid Mir. He said this while addressing the journalists at Kashmir Press Club, Mirpur after a demonstration held on ‘Hamid Mir Day’. The day was celebrated to protest against the non-arrest of those involved in the attack on Hamid Mir.

PFUJ president further stated that they were there to fight for the rights of the journalists and not for survival of an institution, and added that all the institutions including media made mistakes.

Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) Secretary General Bilal Dar, Union of Journalists Mirpur District President Muhammad Ameen Butt, Kashmir Press Club Mirpur President Syed Abid Hussain Shah, Chaksawari Press Club President Yasir Mumtaz Chaudhry, Press Foundation Monitoring Committee Member Raja Habibullah Khan, Khari Press Club President Raja Waqas, Raja Khalil Yousaf, Mumtaz Ali Khaksaar, Muhammad Rafique Mughal and others also spoke on the occasion.

Kashmir Press Club General Secretary Sajjad Jaraal was the stage secretary. Before this, a protest rally was taken out from Kashmir Press Club, whose participants chanted slogans against the non-arrest of those who made an attempt on the life of renowned journalist Hamid Mir. They marched on Press Club Road, Mian Muhammad Road, Allama Iqbal Road and Chowk Shaheedan. The demonstration ended at Press Club Mirpur.

Afterwards, a rally of the journalists reached Press Club Hall. RIUJ Secretary General Bilal Dar said that the journalists of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir would not rest till the arrest of attackers of Hamid Mir.

The speakers further said that they would continue their struggle till those behind the attack on Hamid Mir and those involved in the murder of 111 journalists were brought to book. On the occasion, Afzal Butt said that the history of PFUJ was unique as far as independence of media was concerned. He further said that the Pakistani journalists fought bravely against the violence meted out against them.

Afzal Butt said that they would make each and every sacrifice for the freedom of press and would not become a tool in the hands of any media organisation or any secret agency.Butt stated that the Constitution gave them the right to raise voice for freedom of press. He informed that they were not against any institution, nor they would tolerate the interference of any institution in their matters. He noted that all the national institutions had made mistakes. He remarked that after the attack on Hamid Mir, they tried hard not to add fuel to fire. He said that some elements were busy in meeting their heinous objectives but the journalists’ community would not be part of any such attempt.

Afzal Butt said that they would not tolerate any conspiracy hatched against the Pakistan Army. He stated that the statement given by Hamid Mir’s brother after assault on him, was in line with the right of freedom of expression mentioned in the Constitution. He said that they were trying hard to extinguish the fire and were eager to formulate a code of conduct for all.

He informed that they would demonstrate against the maltreatment meted out to any journalist, adding that no TV channel or newspaper was their favourite and they knew how to safeguard the rights of journalists.They will not stop from rendering sacrifices for the right of freedom of expression, he added.

The News

The media wasn’t facing threats only from one side (the establishment) but it was multidimensional, including from the militant wings of political parties, said former editor of Dawn Saleem Asmi who chaired the moot.

Asmi sahib, despite not feeling well and finding it difficult to breathe, addressed the gathering briefly.

Social worker and human rights activist Mehnaz Rehman said journalists faced a perpetual death threat. She said they were killed, harassed and tortured by intelligence agencies, political parties and extremist forces like the Taliban. She said out of 34 journalists killed in the country, the murderer of only one could be brought to book. “The media is under siege,” she remarked and pointed out that the government hadn’t done enough to handle the situation. She said that according to a UN report Pakistan was the most dangerous country for journalists. Senior columnist and anchor Raza Rumi was attacked; luckily he was not wounded but his driver died. The Taliban had already put his name on their hit list that came out in February. Similarly, an Express News journalist Jamshed was attacked twice, as was the group’s coverage van.

‘Some channels are speaking the language of their owners … and journalism will be the only casualty’
Ms Rehman said the rating competition among TV channels was an impediment in the way of serious journalism.

She added that the menace of sectarianism was also creating differences between media persons as they find it hard to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with each other. She quoted an incident in which an Ahmedi journalist, when he started writing for Baloch missing persons, received a call to warn him that if he didn’t stop writing on the subject, his identity of being an Ahmedi would be disclosed. The journalist had to flee the country, she said.

She said all the institutions commanded respect and that the army should be supported in its war against the Taliban.

In the end, she put forward three demands: media bodies and institutions make a code of conduct, working journalists share profits earned by their organisations, and there be no ban on any newspaper or channel.

Prof Tauseef Ahmed Khan said the absurdity of the situation where the government was saying that it would not shut down any media outlet, the Supreme Court hadn’t given any decision against any media house and yet the demand for the closure of Geo TV was coming from within media groups and no one was talking about bringing Hamid Mir’s attackers to justice.

Vice Chairman of the Human Rights Commission Asad Iqbal Butt said threat to journalists wasn’t a new phenomenon; it began when the Quaid-i-Azam was alive.

He argued that certain people were angry at the Hamid Mir incident and wondered what wrong had he said which caused such a furore. The agencies didn’t enjoy a good record, he mentioned, and touched upon the Asghar Khan case in which it was admitted that political parties were given funds. He feared efforts were being made to put curbs on journalism because of which lives of workers of Geo TV and Jang newspaper were in danger. The government should take action against those playing with religious sentiments, he demanded.

Media person Mazhar Abbas said the situation had come to a point where it appeared as if Hamid Mir shot someone instead of he himself being a victim. There was a time when media persons resisted efforts to gag media but at present voices from within their rank were demanding to shut down the channel as journalists were squabbling and calling each other names. The community that even a military dictator like Ziaul Haq couldn’t destroy had now weakened and that too by a single incident, he said.

He commented that if irresponsible journalism was witnessed on April 19, what followed it, and still going on, was also irresponsible journalism. Some channels were speaking the language of their owners and in the hullabaloo, “journalism will be the only casualty”, he said.

Farhat Parveen, Saeed Sarbazi, Imtiaz Khan Faran, Habib Junaidi and Liquat Sahi also spoke.

The event was conducted by Akhtar Baloch.

DAWN

The protesting journalists demanded restoration of the Geo transmission at the earliest.They were joined by the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) along with members of civil society, which included the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and Aurat Foundation among others.

On the occasion, a charter of demands was read out which was later submitted to the Pemra officials. It condemned the illegal meetings held by the Pemra officials which announced that the Geo Television offices should be sealed. “Pemra should set its house in order and give the Jang/Geo group a fair hearing,” it was stated in the charter.

Representatives of the Jang/Geo group said that they had apologised for the content of its programme, Utho, Jago Pakistan, which had hurt the sentiments of Muslims. “The programme has been suspended and an inquiry is under way,” it was stated. “However, other television networks, especially ARY television, has repeated the Qawali 63 times. Pemra should take notice of that as well.”

It was stated that the shutdown of the Geo transmission across the country by cable operators was illegal. “The cable operators have termed Geo television a traitor, but the cable operators show foreign films on their individual channels, which are a violation of the copyright law.”

By banning Geo television, it was stated that the public at large would be deprived of its right to information. “The people of Pakistan have chosen Geo television as the provider of information. They vote for it with the remote.”

It has been stated that the 7,000 employees of Geo television are now scared about their livelihoods as journalism is their bread and butter. “By targeting Geo and pushing for its ban, certain forces are depriving its employees of their livelihood.

“We are neither blasphemers nor traitors, we are only doing journalism,” it was stated.Journalists at the rally held placards of ‘long live Geo’, ‘long live press freedom’, ‘Geo or Jeenay do’ and pictures of Hamid Mir. Wearing black armbands, they raised slogans for press freedom and said that they would protest for press freedom till their dying breath.

Shaheen Qureshi, senior journalist, while addressing the rally, said, “The people who have gathered here today are sepoys of press freedom. This is not just an attack on the Jang/Geo group but on all of the media. The forces which are after us will one by one silence all the voices that differ with them.”

He said that the attack on Hamid Mir ‘the icon of Pakistani journalism’ was pre-planned. “We, as journalists, have read history. We know that red lines are drawn by certain groups. Once a red line is crossed, threats follow. That is why many of our editors have had to seek asylum abroad.”

Time and again every sane voice in the country is branded as a traitor. The list includes Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Zulifkar Ali Bhutto, Mufti Mehmood, Najam Sethi and Beena Sarwar. “Whoever loves is not egoistic. Then why are you being egoistic? We love Pakistan but we do not need a certificate from you. We are not professional patriots. We are not getting paid for declaring patriotism to Pakistan.”

He said that a certain anchor had been indulging in unprofessional practices and spreading false propaganda against the Jang/Geo group. “Are you getting paid by the establishment for toeing a certain line of thought?”

Faisal Aziz, Geo TV Karachi Bureau chief, said, “The journalists of Pakistan are brave. A bullet will not silence them.”Addressing the participants, the President Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) G M Jamali demanded the restoration of Geo transmission immediately. He said they would oppose shutting down any channel or newspaper in Pakistan.

Senior PFUJ leader, Khursheed Abbassi, called upon the authorities to get the Geo transmission restored within two days.

The Karachi Press Club (KPC) Secretary General Amir Latif said they were with Geo from the very beginning of the matter. “A ban on any channel or newspaper is an attack on press freedom.”

The resolution said that democracy should be strengthened as the country could not afford any illegal and unconstitutional act.

The resolution said that freedom of expression is an important right and if this right was curbed, all other rights would also be gagged and therefore the freedom of expression should be ensured. The resolution said that no unconstitutional and undemocratic act in the country would be accepted and such acts would be resisted.

Meanwhile, Reporters without Borders is alarmed by the order issued by three members of the Pemra closing three Geo Television channels – Geo News, Geo Tez and Geo Entertainment – and cancelling their licences.

The order was rapidly disowned by Pemra in a press release that said it was issued following a meeting of only five Pemra members that did not comply with Rule 3(4) of PEMRA Rules 2009, under which at least seven of Pemra’s 12 members must attend a meeting for it to be validly convened.

The release added that the decision that Pemra took at an earlier and valid meeting on May 9 to “refer the (Geo Television) case to the Ministry of Law for legal opinion” was therefore still in effect.

“The hasty decision by three Pemra members that was immediately disowned is indicative of a desire by certain government representatives to use any means, including illegal ones, to ban Geo News from broadcasting,” said Benjamin Ismaïl, the head of the Reporters without Borders Asia-Pacific desk.

“We urge Pemra not to yield to pressure from the intelligence agencies and the defence ministry, and to ensure that the law protects freedom of information.” The Jang and Geo groups have been a target of repeated threats, intimidation and prosecution as a result of the coverage of activities of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in Balochistan.

Agencies add: Meanwhile, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain said it was wrong to snatch and break the cameras and mobile phones of Geo and Jang journalists and to attack the Geo OB vans.

He said it was the fundamental right of a person to stage peaceful protests and demonstrations on minor or major issues and people should hold their peaceful protests within the limits of law, Constitution and moral standards.

In a statement, Altaf Hussain said that the people should not be allowed to break the law under the guise of protests.

The MQM chief said it was a debatable issue whether Geo did things intentionally or unintentionally. However, it was wrong to beat journalists belonging to Geo TV, who are mostly from the poor and middle class.

“We cannot term the protesters’ actions legal and constitutional. Their violent protests not only cause damage to expensive equipment but also injure journalists, drivers, technicians and cameramen associated with the Geo Television,” he said.

He appealed to the people in the name of Pakistan’s security to keep their protest demonstrations peaceful and not to hurt Geo employees and journalists.

Earlier, stating that the freedom of press was essential for strengthening democracy, former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani said that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government had given “unprecedented freedom” to the press.

Speaking to media persons here, Gilani said the PPP believed in freedom of the media adding that media should also show a responsible attitude.

“The PPP-led government extended unprecedented freedom to the press which was not given by any government in the past,” Gilani said at the Multan airport. He said the PPP governments had always provided freedom to all in the country without discrimination and had never imposed restrictions on media institutions.

Acknowledging the role of journalists against dictatorial and autocratic regimes in the country, he said their sacrifices for the freedom of expression and social liberties had paved the way for rejuvenated democracy in the country.

“Democracy and media go hand-in-hand and the freedom of the media guarantees sustained and stable democracy,” the former prime minister said.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Human Rights Cell cautioned against the banning of Geo TV and instead called upon the government to strengthen the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to ensure that electronic channels should abide by a code of conduct that should be effectively enforced and regulated.

“Resorting to a ban is censorship and there is no room for censorship in a democracy,” stated Dr Nafisa Shah, Central Coordinator of the PPP Human Rights Cell.

“While the cell endorses that press and media must exercise responsibility and not run vilification campaigns, we will not be a party to curbs on media freedom,” she added.

It is a fact that some electronic channels have run full scale campaigns, sometimes maligning national institutions, and constitutional positions and often jeopardising national interest. This is both the fault of the regulator, Pemra, and the inability of the channel owners to enforce the code of conduct. It is time that the media community agrees to abide by the code of conduct and maintain strict neutrality while covering events, she said.

The last PPP government and its leaders were repeatedly made a victim of media trials but the PPP government demonstrated patience and tolerated criticism. ”We are concerned that the Ministry of Information has failed to address the raging media wars, the lethal infighting between channels, and has become a bystander, which has led to the present impasse,” she said quoting the cell members as saying.

The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), district Peshawar, in a meeting passed a resolution that said that no channel in Pakistan should be banned, instead all TV channels must respect the Islamic injunctions.

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He said the media-related issue would be resolved amicably soon as in the given situation, the issue was not of Geo but of the freedom of expression in a democratic society.

He stated this in an informal chat with media persons after he visited, along with members of the family, the residence of senior journalist Hamid Mir to inquire after him.

The minister recalled how he had resisted when the Supreme Court registrar had pushed for the banning of another TV channel and he had the same policy now that no television channel should go off the air.

About the speculation of the ban on Geo channels, the minister said, “The issue is not of Geo, it is about the freedom of expression in a democratic society and we have bigger issues in our country and all have to find a solution together.”

In this context, he referred to the challenges of terrorism, issues of economy, energy crisis and education and health of children. With regard to the situation arising from the Geo issue, the minister urged the media to bring an end to the infighting.

He confirmed having met representatives of different media organisations, including APNS, CPNE and PBA and his meetings with heads of media groups: Hameed Haroon, Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, Mian Amir, Zuberi and Mujeebur Rehman Shami.

Asked for his views on the law ministry’s opinion on the issue, he said his ministry had sent its views on the matter to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra).

“Pemra is an independent institution and let it decide about the issue in its meeting. Neither I nor anyone else should try to dictate it,” the minister maintained.Earlier, the minister, along with his spouse and children, met the bedridden journalist at his residence and remained with him for some time.

“I, along with my family, met Hamid Mir and his family. It was a family get-together. Mir’s health is much better than it was when I met him in Karachi earlier.” Rashid expressed his gratitude to the journalist for gifting him his book and said he felt honoured on receiving the gift signed by Hamid Mir. The book consists of Mir’s columns.

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