News Analysis |
Host, Hamid Mir, in a tweet, expressed his anger and frustration while slamming those who ordered to take down the interview. Mir, a senior journalist who has interviewed many foreign as well as local leaders throughout his journalistic career, last night regretted expressing “we are not living in a free country”.
I can only say sorry to my viewers that an interview was started and stopped on Geo New I will share the details soon but it’s easy to understand who stopped it?We are not living in a free country
— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) July 1, 2019
In a series of tweets, Mr Mir added that within a few minutes during the telecast, Geo News announced, Mr Zardari’s interview would not be aired. “I am getting calls from all over the world with people asking what happened? State of Pakistan is giving a bad name to this country. We don’t need enemies,” he stated.
Mir also questioned what was wrong asking questions from the former president while sitting in the parliament? “What’s wrong in it? I asked some questions to the ex-President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari and he responded? Is he a bigger criminal than Ehsanullah Ehsan, the former spokesman of TTP? Remember, Ehsanullah Ehsan gave interview from official custody. I interviewed Asif Zardari in the Parliament House,” questioned Mr Mir. He was referring to former spokesperson who is in custody of the Pakistan army and his interview was aired with Saleem Safi.
It only happens in Pakistan where an accused, in custody of NAB on physical remand, appears on television to give us a lecture on democracy transparency.
PPP chairman and son of Zardari slammed the government for being “selected” and interested to listen to selected opinion.
Selected government only wants to hear selected voices. President Zardari’s interview with @HamidMirPAK censored. Pulled from air when it had already started. No difference in Zias Pakistan, Musharrafs Pakistan & NayaPakistan. This is no longer the free country Quaid promised us.
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) July 1, 2019
Should an Accused be Allowed to Appear on National TV?
Soon after the controversy broke out on social media, a new debate commenced; “whether an accused of money laundering and corruption be allowed to appear on national TV or not.” Several people argued that since there is a trend in Pakistan that everyone including accused people, appear on TV and defend their case, so Zardari’s interview must not have created something irregular.
Read more: 7 Facts About Zardari’s Case
Senior journalist Rauf Klasra responded to Mr. Mir and said that “No offense please, but nowhere a top politician accused of money laundering, fraud & fake accounts is allowed one hour air time to justify his crimes. It only happens in Pakistan where an accused, in custody of NAB on physical remand, appears on television to give us a lecture on democracy transparency.”
No offences pls but no where a top accused of money laundering,frauds & fake accounts is allowed one hour air time to justify his crimes. It only happens in Pakistan where an accused in custody of NAB on physical remand,appears on tv to give us lecture on democracy& transparency https://t.co/chqNY5UvN4
— Rauf Klasra (@KlasraRauf) July 1, 2019
Mr. Mir replied to Klasra, saying “No offense please, but nowhere in the world a top terrorist becomes a royal guest of state and you know who that is? He is Ehasanullah Ehsan, who accepted responsibility of planting a bomb under my car. He gave television interviews in “official custody” Zardari spoke to me in the Parliament.”
No offences please but no where in the world a top terrorist becomes a royal guest of state and you know who is that?He is Ehasanullah Ehsan who accepted responsibility of planting bomb under my car he gave TV interviews in “official custody” Zardari spoke to me in Parliament https://t.co/bzE2CoJ2nH
— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) July 1, 2019
Klasra acknowledged and replied to Mr. Mir, “Agreed sir—But if am not wrong, the same Geo interviewed this “top terrorist” Ehsanullah and aired it to whole world to help him justify his crimes against humanity. Why is it always Geo that offers its shoulders to such criminals against whom even you have genuine concerns?”
Agreed sir—But If am not wrong the same Geo had interviewed this “top terrorist” Ehsanullah and aired it to whole world to help him justify his crimes against the humanity. Why its Geo always who offers its shoulders to such criminals against whom even you have genuine concerns? https://t.co/Bta8Qabf06
— Rauf Klasra (@KlasraRauf) July 1, 2019
But in another shocking move, Mr. Mir revealed that he was not even allowed to speak on the subject on Dawn news. He tweeted “I was sitting in front of a Dawn News camera for an 11 o’clock show and I received a call that @ZaraHatKay_Dawn team is under pressure not to interview me on Asif Ali Zardari issue. They apologized, and I thanked them that somebody is running and controlling Pakistan on telephone calls”
I was sitting in front of a Dawn News camera for 11 o clock show and then I received a call that @ZaraHatKay_Dawn team is under pressure not to interview me on Asif Ali Zardari issue they said sorry I said thank you somebody running and controlling Pakistan on telephone calls https://t.co/pGSH0n3pJA
— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) July 1, 2019
In Pakistan, the subject of media freedom remained a hot talk. It is yet to be seen how does the journalist community respond to it? The question of allowing accused and convicted criminals on TV channels needs more deliberation and attention.