World | Pakistan
Pakistani TV stations 'forced to shut down'
Two of Pakistan's leading private television networks said they have been forced to shut down completely after being ordered to stop transmissions via the UAE.
- Agencies
- Published: 15:50 November 17, 2007
- Police try to halt a man as he and employees of Geo television network protested in Karachi after the network was forced to close on Saturday.
- Image Credit: Reuters
Karachi & Abu Dhabi: Two of Pakistan's leading private television networks said they have been forced to shut down completely after being ordered to stop transmissions via the UAE.
Geo and ARY One World, which have studios in Dubai Media City, were ordered off air in Pakistan during President Pervez Musharraf's emergency rule.
"We have been told by the [Dubai] Media City that our transmission will be shut down," said Imran Aslam, president of Geo News. "This is all I can say at the moment."
An official at ARY also confirmed getting similar orders. Both the channels went off air at 1:00am Pakistan time (0800 GMT).
Local and international television channels disappeared from cable television in Pakistan amid media curbs starting November 3.
Some channels have since resumed broadcasts, but Geo has refused to agree to a new government media code.
WAM adds: The decision by the Dubai Media City to stop the transmission of two Pakistan's leading private television stations is in line with the UAE's foreign policy based on neutrality and non-interference in other's domestic affairs, said Ebrahim Al Abid, Director General of the National Media Council.
The UAE is completely committed to international legitimacy, principles and laws, as well as to supporting peace and stability in the region.
In line with these principles, the UAE is keen to preserve its complete and objective neutrality towards political events happening in Pakistan, and considers such events as part of Pakistan's internal affairs, Al Abid said.
Ameena Al Rostamani, Executive Director of Media at the Dubai Media City, said: "The Media City as one of the UAE's institutions stresses its complete commitment to the country's internal and foreign policies."
The move to suspend the transmission of the Pakistani channels is in harmony with the UAE's full commitment not to interfere in others' internal affairs, and hence, the city is keen not to transmit any news reports or programmes that are in contradiction with such its uncontroversial principles, Ameena said.
"The two channels have been in a long-term partnership with the Media City, which was based on complete cooperation and respect.
"In view of this relation, the Media City's management is currently holding talks with the TV stations on the content of their news and programmes, hoping to reach a settlement that honours and respects UAE's policies to further protect everyone's interests," Ameena said.
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