Pakistan journalist Hamid Mir barred from internet hosting his display on TV channel

Pakistan’s veteran journalist Hamid Mir used to be stopped on Monday from internet hosting his well-liked communicate display by way of a non-public TV channel after he criticised the rustic’s tough ”status quo” within the wake of an assault on a fellow scribe.

Mir delivered a fiery speech at a protest staged by way of the reporters in opposition to an assault by way of 3 ”unknown” individuals on journalist Asad Toor on Friday in Islamabad.

He demanded duty within the assault, which used to be a sequence of such attacks on media individuals who’re vital of the rustic’s army.

Mir, internet hosting top time Capital Communicate display on Geo TV, used to be despatched on go away by way of the TV community which claimed that he used to be nonetheless a part of the scoop channel.

The journalist showed the improvement, announcing it used to be now not new for him as he vowed to struggle regardless of “penalties”.

“Not anything new for me. I used to be banned two times previously. Misplaced jobs two times. Survived assassination makes an attempt however can’t prevent elevating voice for the rights given within the Charter. This time I’m able for any penalties and able to move at any extent as a result of they’re threatening my circle of relatives,” he tweeted.

Not anything new for me.I used to be banned two times previously.Misplaced jobs two times.Survived assassination makes an attempt however can’t prevent elevating voice for the rights given within the charter.This time I m able for any penalties and able to move at any extent as a result of they’re threatening my circle of relatives. https://t.co/82y1WdrP5S

— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) May 31, 2021

There used to be no remark from the federal government, however reporters’ our bodies and others criticised the transfer.

“If Executive/State of Pakistan isn’t attempting affect and kill my case with out going in opposition to the culprits, then why they pressurised GeoNews to off air @HamidMirPAK?” tweeted Toor, who has recovered from the wounds.

If Executive/State of #Pakistan isn’t attempting affect and kill my case with out going in opposition to the culprits then why they pressurised #GeoNews to off air @HamidMirPAK? #HamidMir Sahb is among the best and courageous journalist and our satisfaction. half

— Asad Ali Toor (@AsadAToor) May 31, 2021

Marriyum Aurangzeb, the spokesperson of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, the biggest opposition party stated: “We condemn such arbitrary choices in opposition to freedom of speech & oppose all pressures to intimidate reporters into silence. We Stand With @HamidMirPAK.”

Journalist Absar Alam, who used to be shot and injured a couple of weeks in the past by way of ”unknown” attackers tweeted: “It’s shameful to threaten any individual’s circle of relatives. If any individual has a grievance in opposition to Hamid Mir, that individual must observe the prison trail as an alternative of resorting to unconstitutional and fascist acts.”

It’s shameful to threaten any individual’s circle of relatives. If any individual has a grievance in opposition to Hamid Mir, that individual must observe the prison trail as an alternative of resorting to unconstitutional and fascist acts. https://t.co/7OYGM1Unni

— Absar Alam (@AbsarAlamHaider) May 31, 2021

The Human Rights Fee of Pakistan (HRCP) additionally condemned the transfer.

“HRCP strongly condemns the verdict to take @HamidMirPAK off the air 3 days after he spoke fervidly in opposition to the escalation in curbs on press freedom. He will have to be allowed to renew his skilled tasks right away and the threats in opposition to him investigated,” it stated in a remark.

HRCP strongly condemns the verdict to take @HamidMirPAK off the air 3 days after he spoke fervidly in opposition to the escalation in curbs on press freedom. He will have to be allowed to renew his skilled tasks right away and the threats in opposition to him investigated. @geonews_urdu pic.twitter.com/1d8WhJHwKA

— Human Rights Fee of Pakistan (@HRCP87) May 31, 2021

Pakistan Federal Union of Reporters (PFUJ), a number one frame of native media individuals, additionally “strongly condemned” the banning of Mir. “We need to know if banning Mir is a choice of Geo or a results of power by way of the federal government and status quo,” PFUJ president Shehzada Zulfiqar stated.

Amnesty World South Asia additionally criticised the banning of Mir.

“The punitive motion of taking @HamidMirPAK off the air following a speech at a protest calling for duty for an assault on @AsadAToor, critically undermines the duty media retailers and government have to give protection to loose speech in an already repressive setting. Censorship, harassment and bodily violence will have to now not be the fee reporters pay to do their jobs,” it stated in a tweet.

The punitive motion of taking @HamidMirPAK off the air following a speech at a protest calling for duty for an assault on @AsadAToor, critically undermines the duty media retailers and government have to give protection to loose speech in an already repressive setting half https://t.co/CYlqTTZVnR

— Amnesty World South Asia (@amnestysasia) May 31, 2021

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