Geo to admit ISI mistake: Dr Aamir

JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 20 May 2014

Dr Aamir Liaquat confirms that Geo TV will soon acknowledge its mistake in accusing the ISI of involvement in the Hamid Mir attack. He also addressed the suspension of staff involved in the controversial morning show.
Summary

ISLAMABAD: Dr Aamir Liaquat Hussain, Vice President of Geo TV, has said the channel will soon admit its mistake on the issue of alleging that the ISI was responsible for the attack on presenter Hamid Mir. “I have been saying from day one that we should not have done, what we have done with the army and the ISI,” Dr Hussain told Voice of America.

“We have never been stubborn in accepting our mistakes. Now the only issue left is the ISI’s. In a day or two, we will accept our mistake.” About Geo’s morning show controversy, he said: “We have closed down Utho Jago Pakistan. The whole staff of the show has been suspended.

In fact I want to inform you that most of them have been expelled.” He also admitted laxity in editorial judgment. Coming back to the attack on Hamid Mir, he regretted that without any research, Geo TV alleged that the ISI was involved in it, terming it “painful and highly offensive”. He added that the media infighting was leading to violence which will have repercussions for all.

“There has been effort to instigate people. Also the cable operators have become law unto themselves.” He said that Geo TV has been removed by cable operators but PEMRA has taken no action. “Eight thousand employees of Geo are in extreme danger. If God forbid someone is harmed, who will be responsible,” he asked. However, he promised a new and improved Geo TV in the days to come.

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