Mir Ibrahim Rahman manhandles PTV lawyer inside Supreme Court
Relevant Reading: PTV CBA writes to Supreme Court
Money Talks: Jang group to beg American support
LUBP Archive on Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman
If one wonders why all this hoo-haa by Geo Super on the airing of World Cup matches is going on and the role played by our apex judiciary, it is safe to presume that all other matters in the country have been taken care of and upholding of law vis-à-vis Geo Super’s rights are of supreme national interest.
My take on the issue is that Geo Super has rights to broadcast in Pakistan exclusively through cable while PTV has the rights to broadcast through their terrestrial (remember the antenna on our roof tops on which crows used to rest?) network. As per PEMRA Law, PTV has to be shown by all cable operators and its priority is highest i.e. first few channels on the cable network. If two channels are showing the world cup, then subscribers have a choice to see the matches. On the other hand, PTV is ensuring that its PTV Home Channel on satellite is not showing the matches. All this campaign by Geo Super is linked more towards hurting the financial interests of PTV than the upholding of law. How that is done is:
- Create a campaign that only Geo Super has exclusive rights
- Use lawyers, legal notices and other means to tell the world that PTV is doing something illegal
- Make the advertisers confused and non committal towards advertising on PTV during the world cup without realizing that PTV is something which is seen all across Pakistan where there is no cable TV
- When advertisers do not advertise on PTV, PTV doesn’t make revenues or makes lesser revenues causing financial troubles
- Get into a legal battle and get the Supreme Court to give confusing statements and judgments
This is exactly what has happened. The lesser said about nexus of Geo-Supreme Court the better, however, what happened yesterday in the Supreme Court premises is eye popping and mind boggling.
The third generation owner of Geo, Mir Ibrahim Rehman (Harvard fame) mishandled PTV’s lawyer Raza Kazim inside the Supreme Court. Speaking to the media, Raza narrated the incident saying that he was talking to the acting chairman of PEMRA Dr Jabbar when Mir Ibrahim Rehman came to complain against potential Satellite channels being aired on cable television. According to Raza’s account, he then advised Rehman that as per the orders of the SC, he should file a written complaint and PEMRA would take immediate action over the matter. As a consequence Rehman became angry and allegedly shoved Raza in the chest saying “you are all liars” claimed Raza. Raza said that he has brought the incident to the notice of the court. The exalted, high and mighty CJ, has taken notice of this and apparently issued notice to Mir Ibrahim saying “an enquiry would be conducted into the unpleasant incident”.
When will the inquiry take place, only God knows. I am sure the enquiry will take place in 2013 and it will be said that “insaaf ka bol bala hua hay”.
Links to the news item can be found here:
Mir Ibrahim Rahman is the oldest son of Pakistani media conglomerate owner Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman. He is the CEO of GEO TV Network.
Like son, like father, liar son of a liar father
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
ISLAMABAD: Geo TV Network’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mir Ibrahim Rahman has clarified in a statement that he respects every human being and giving respect to others was included in his early schooling.
He said he did not push anybody and if unintentionally any such mistake was committed by him, he sought their pardon. He said his upbringing had taught him patience right from the beginning and pushing somebody physically was against his nature.
He expressed his unhappiness over the fact that a group of profit gainers was exaggerating the incident that took place in the court just to malign the Jang Group on a signal from the government.
“We should take the verdict of the Supreme Court in a positive manner and refrain from scolding without verification,” he added.
It is pertinent to mention here that on Tuesday an unpleasant incident took place outside the Supreme Court on the occasion of the hearing on the landing rights of Geo TV, the state-run TV channel and Pemra.
The lawyers in their application stated that the Geo TV CEO allegedly adopted inappropriate behaviour with some of their colleagues. The legal fraternity demanded of the chief justice hold a court inquiry into the incident.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=4345&Cat=13&dt=3/2/2011
From Dr. Shahid Masood’s letter:
I know I could not have been able to do any of this without the blessings of Allah, and all the people who have helped me in my eventful journey including Mir Shakilur Rahman, Mir Ibrahim Rahman and Salman Iqbal.
I look forward to your continued feedback and suggestions.
Sincerely.
Dr. Shahid Masood
President & CEO
Pearl Communications (PVT) Ltd
Shalimar 5 Agha Khan Road Islamabad
http://criticalppp.com/archives/34983/comment-page-1#comment-85265
From Express Tribune. Did anyone notice the ET have disabled comments on this item as the matter is subjudice. As if the Raymond Davis case, the NRO case, the Aasia bibi case etc were not subjudice? The media is verily united in defence of lies and conspiracies.
………….
Lawyer accuses Geo CEO of manhandling him
Published: March 1, 2011
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) counsel Ali Raza on Tuesday accused the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Geo Mir Ibrahim Rehman of manhandling him outside the Supreme Court (SC). The chief justice also issued a notice to Rehman over the issue.
Speaking to the media, Raza narrated the incident saying that he was talking to the acting chairman of Pemra Dr Jabbar when Rehman came to complain against potential Satellite channels being aired on cable television.
According to Raza’s account, he then advised Rehman that as per the orders of the SC, he should file a written complaint and Pemra would take immediate action over the matter. As a consequence Rehman became angry and allegedly shoved Raza in the chest saying “you are all liars” claimed Raza.
Raza said that he has brought the incident to the notice of the court.
Senior lawyer Raza Kazim speaking outside the SC said Mir Ibrahim had assaulted a lawyer and a complaint will be filed against him.
Comments have been disabled on this news post as the matter is subjudice in court.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/125746/lawyer-accuses-geo-ceo-of-manhandling-him/
GEO TV Prepared Case Against Pakistan for Mumbai Attack.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfhxfjWWH6g
GEO TV Owner Mir Ibrahim Rahman is a Foreign Agent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_gLOfzbpVU
Mir Ibrahim Rehman in Company of “Kuffar” where are Ansar Abbasi, Hamid Mir, Irfan Siddiqui, Haroon ur Rasheed, Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman, and other Loud Mouth “Hang Raymond Davis Brigade of GEO TV”? Human Rights is a concept of Kufr and what Mir Ibrahim doing with Americans in USA?
Program Affiliates
The Program will also draw on the intellectual resources present at the Kennedy School, Harvard University, and other academic and policy institutions in the Boston area and beyond. http://www.hks.harvard.edu/cchrp/sbhrap/aboutus/affiliates.php
R. Nicholas Burns Burns was previously the highest-ranking career diplomat at the U.S. Department of State, appointed Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Politics at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Richard Clarke Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy at Harvard, Clark served the last three presidents as a senior White House Advisor. He has held the titles of Special Assistant to the President for Global Affairs, National Coordinator for Security and Counter-terrorism, and Special Advisor to the President for Cyber Security.
Mir Ibrahim Rahman Mir Ibrahim Rahman is founder and CEO of GEO TV Network, one of Pakistan’s fastest growing and most popular media brands. According to Raham, GEO’s mission is “to create an enabling platform for thinking and questioning in Pakistan.” The New York Times has noted that “GEO has changed the media landscape” of Pakistan. Mir graduated Suma Cum Laude from Babson College in Economics, Finance and Entrepreneurship. He currently taking a leave from his CEO duties, to pursue a Masters in Public Administration at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Mir Shakil ur Rehman (GEO TV/DAILY JANG) is Exposed in Sindh Assembly (15 March 2011) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ct8LlKghRU
Harami khandan ki Harami aulad. From Grandfather to Father all are aHarami.