Censoring Dawn TV -by A. H. Nayyar
A very interesting thing happened this evening (28th July).
DawnTV was airing Arshad Sharif’s talk show Reporter. The topic today was growth of Islamic militancy, especially Jundullah within Pakistan’s military and its connection with Jaish-e-Muhammad and Lashkar-e-Tayyaba.
He started by showing a documentary on how Jundullah started in Quetta cantonment, how it spread across different formations of the military, showing some footage that looked original.
The discussants with Arshad were Air Marshall Shahzad Choudhry, Zahid Hussain and ret Gen Hamid Nawaz. As the documentary started, we saw, Hamid nawaz getting up and leaving.
Arshad then showed another short documentary which gave public sentiments on such trends in the military. Then came a commercial break.
After the break, the viewers saw that the program has been taken off the air. Instead Dawn started airing a completely different and old episode of Reporter. Clearly, the live program was censored. And clearly, from the top military brass.
What does the military have to hide that needed this censoring? Any comments from anyone knowledgeable?
I truly fear for the life of the brave journalist who had prepared the documentary.
It clearly shows who the real powers that be are in Pakistan. Rest is just a facade.
So sad…Arshad Sharif is doing a very good job in Dawn compared to the mouth of establishment Syed Ghalat Hussain
Thanks for highlighting this. Arshad Sharif is one of a very few decent journalist-anchors left on the air waves. This is sad.
Dawn should air the program on youtube.
Hamid Nawaz got up and left in a previous program too. I thought the author was talking of that programme until I saw the date 28th July. Hamid Nawaz has habit of getting up and leave if things don’t go his way.
Government must act to ensure protection of Arshad Sharif and others associated with the program. No doubt such blatant censorship also means that such deeds would not go unpunished.
Why not Pakistanis try to present evidence in International courts. Appears military & ISI elements committing “Crimes against humanity” in some parts of Pakistan.
Arshad Sharif is doing a great job. God bless him & may keep him safe.
Dawn being censored? strange!!!
It looks as if we …The People of Pakistan has the Biggest Threat from our own PAID SERVANTS . Army & ISI has long been our ENEMIES .. Nothing NEW .. They are Threatening, Torturing & Killing all VOICES of NATIONALISM today ! May Allah Save Arshad Shareef from all Evil designs of Agencies & their Accomplices in the disguise of News Anchors on different “ON SALE ” channels . ameen