Pakistan Minister of Defence says $10 million fine on Geo TV ‘too less’

Islamabad: Pakistan defence minister Khwaja Mohammed Asif on Saturday said that the 15-day suspension and Rs 10 million fine is “too late and less” punishment for Geo News  and the government reserves the right to appeal for a stern penalty.

In a statement, Mr Asif said the defence ministry was dissatisfied over Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s decision against the Geo News.

He said PEMRA has taken the decision too late and less punishment has been given to the channel.

The suspension of the licence of Geo News was announced by PEMRA after a meeting chaired by its acting chief Parvez Rathore on Friday.
It also asked the channel to pay Rs 10 million as fine.

The meeting was held to address a complaint filed by the ministry of defence against Geo News for blaming the ISI agency and its chief Lt. General Zaheerul Islam for attack on leading journalist Hamid Mir, who was seriously injured in a shoot-out in April.

The military sources said that Pakistan army was targeted despite being in a state of war and they thought the punishment was “not enough”.
The controversy erupted after Mr Mir’s brother accused “certain elements” in the ISI and its chief of orchestrating the attack, a charge denied by the military.

Geo TV network, on May 26 had issued an apology to the army forces and ISI.