Opp, journalists walk out from NA against blocking transmission of three private channels

ISLAMABAD: The entire Opposition and journalists on Tuesday walked out from the National Assembly in protest against blocking the transmission of three Private TV Channel on May 05 in Sindh.

Speaker NA Chaudhry Amir Hussain after hearing the arguments of Opposition reserved the ruling on three same adjournment motions.

Opposition demanded to hold comprehensive debate on adjournment motions or refer the matter to concerned standing committee.

Whereas, Government adopted stance that Government or Pakistan Electronic Media and Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) were not involved in blocking the transmission of Channels.

Government made it clear strict that action would be taken against PEMRA if found any guilty.

Earlier, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Sher Afghan Niazi said investigation is underway to ascertain the reason behind blocking the transmission, as it is a sensitive matter.

He said it was alleged that the transmissions had been blocked on ‘directives’ of a specific organization therefore the matter does not meet the requirements to make it an adjournment motion.

The Minister said the government is committed to cross over all hurdles to carry on the press freedom goal. Freedom always strengthens the institutions and we would have to carry on this process.

Free press also helps government in amending its mistakes by constructive criticism, he added.

Liaquat Baloch of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) demanded to hold debate or refer the case to concerned standing committee. Others members of Opposition also demanded debate on the issue.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs demanded to reject the motions. Upon it, Speaker NA reserved the ruling on three same adjournment motions.

Farida Paracha of MMA said media has made example by continuously covering the 30 hours journey of Chief Justice of Pakistan from Islamabad to Lahore.

He said the cable operators were threatened to shut down the transmissions of the private TV channels. He said government had deliberately banned the telecast to undermine the importance of warm welcome accorded to the top judge by the people and legal fraternity.

He said it is a matter of public concern therefore debate should be held. Abdul Majeed Pirzada of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) said article 3 or 4 couldn’t be suspended in case of emergency or martial law.

He said the truth could not be stopped from being seen by shutting down private TV’s transmission. He said that jamming of private channels telecast was an attack on the freedom of press.

He said case should be referred to concerned standing committee. Raja Pervez Ashraf of PPP said the govt had gone crazy after seeing warm welcome accorded to the CJP from Islamabad to Lahore and threatened the cable operators to shut down the transmission. He held the govt responsible for closing the telecast.

Pakhtoon Khawa Awami Milli Party Mehmood Khan Achakzai said we believe in freedom of expression. He believed that the cable operators were threatened to shut down the telecast till event of the CJP would pass.

Judiciary, army and political people were involved in destruction of democracy in the country. They should apologies from the nation, he added.

Hanif Abbasi of MMA said Government is confining media in the country and it is a violation of the basic human rights.

Nahid Khan of PPP added Government is violating basic human rights by blocking transmission of private TV channel. He sought answer from Federal Minister for Information Muhammad Ali Durrani.

On the other hand, Speaker NA Chaudhry Amir Hussain has directed Government to investigate the matter immediately and ensure that such an incident is not repeated again.

Upon it, media men ended their walk out from Press Gallery.