LONDON: The chair of the UK Parliament\u2019s cross-party group on Pakistan says the 15-day suspension of Geo license by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) and the illegal shutdown of all Go family channels is \u201cdisproportionate and unfair to the original offence\u201d.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
He said it must be ensured that sanctions are proportionate and also reasonable for what was done. \u201cAll 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the case of Geo, you could quite legitimately argue that the penalties currently being imposed are disproportionate and unfair to the original offence.\u201d Andrew Stephenson MP said it\u2019s very worrying that Geo had been shut down because \u201cfreedom of the press is very vital, particularly in Pakistan where there are a range of different opinions on how the country should be run\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Conservative Party MP, who has visited Pakistan several times and has advocated Pakistan\u2019s case in the UK parliament with vigour, said: \u201cIt\u2019s a real concern that Geo has been taken off the air\u201d and called on the Government of Pakistan to ensure that freedom of the press is upheld in Pakistan.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cGeo 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.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cvery dangerous\u201d.<\/p>\n
The MP added: \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The chair of the UK Parliament\u2019s cross-party group on Pakistan said the UK saw Nawaz Sharif as its ally and British PM David Cameron has been very clear that \u201cwe want to work with Pakistan and in this govt the amount of aid has been boosted to Pakistan\u201d 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).<\/p>\n
He stressed that Pakistan \u201chas to really look to foster civil society and support free press\u201d and the government has to take lead on all these issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe cannot interfere in the running of the country or the govt but we will hopefully encourage and support Pakistan in supporting freedom of press,\u201d he said, adding that it\u2019 important for any government to have a free press that challenges those in power and helps maintain check and balance.<\/p>\n
Andrew Stephenson MP said it will be very worrying and a \u201cmatter 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\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cIt\u2019s positive news that Pakistan\u2019s 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\u201d.<\/p>\n
The MP said there are many vested groups in Pakistan that \u201cwant to stifle media, free expression and want to close down media that promote debate\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said Pakistan needs liberal media to not only challenge the government, but also to help project a \u201cwhole range of opinions\u201d and that will not happen if \u201cfree expression is not guaranteed without fear of being persecuted\u201d.<\/p>\n
Andrew Stephenson MP said Britain gives aid to Pakistan for poverty alleviation and doesn\u2019t want to attach any strings to it but does want Pakistan to \u201cimprove links with the civil society, the democratic functions and to stamp out corruption\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Conservative MP cautioned that the government must ensure media freedoms. He added: \u201cIf as a country we feel that it\u2019s 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\u201d.<\/p>\n