MQM stages protest against ARY News

JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 25 February 2015

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement staged a protest in Karachi against ARY News concerning alleged unfair comments made about its leader. Protestors called for a boycott of the channel, condemning what they described as biased journalism.
Summary

ISLAMABAD: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement Wednesday staged a protest against ARY News Television in front of Karachi Press Club against what it said were unfair comments about the party chief Altaf Hussain in two different programs.

The comments were made by Mubashir Luqman, anchor of program Khara Sach, and Asad Kharal, anchor of program Andar Ki Baat.

The comments about Hussain and Mohajir community infuriated the MQM and they asked the people to boycott ARY.

The protestors that included senior members of the party among them Dr Farooq Sattar, Qamar Mansoor and Haider Abbas Rizvi carried placards that had slogans against the channel.

Some of the banners and placards read “stop yellow journalism,” “give respect and have respect” and “biased anchors aren’t acceptable.”

The party leader Wasay Jalil said the channel management should take a look at their selection of unprofessional journalists. “The blackmailer anchors on payroll of other political parties use filthy language but silence of the management is questionable,” he said.

Rizvi said that it is the basic right of every citizen to have his own opinion on any issue but this should not get personal due to some prejudice. “It’s unfortunate that ARY was not giving fair coverage to the MQM,” he said.

ARY News transmission was also suspended in Karachi for a few hours as MQM protested.

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