Pakistani Americans Condemn Zardari for Banning TV Program
Washington , DC: Pakistan American National Alliance (PANA), a coalition of several Pakistani organizations, has condemned the ‘corrupt, incompetent, and increasingly desperate’ Zardari regime for banning popular talk show "Meray Mutabiq" hosted by noted Pakistani journalist Dr. Shahid Masood.
“Zardari regime is beginning to attack free press exactly like the Musharraf regime did during its last days,” PANA President Dr. Muhamad Ashraf Toor said. “Judging by historical patterns, Zardari, like Musharraf, is on his way out and the free press shall prevail.”
According to media sources, “under immense pressure from President Asif Ali Zardari on the Dubai government, ‘Meray Mutabiq’ was banned from being telecast on Monday night from the Dubai studios of Geo TV.”
“This is actually one more turn in the lengthy and complicated struggle between Pakistani middle classes and Pakistani feudals,” PANA founder Dr. Agha Saeed said. “After 62 years of incessant struggle and sacrifices, Pakistan’s middle and working classes are beginning to succeed, small step by small step, in their demand for transparency, accountability, rule of law, civil liberties, freedom of the press, due process, and equal justice.”
Reportedly, Dr. Masood has received death threats from PPP leaders as well.
A broad spectrum of Pakistani-Americans has condemned this shameful criminal act by “the shameless Zardari regime.”
“We demand immediate lifting of the ban on Meray Mutabiq,” Dr. Shafi Bezar, a board member of the Pakistan League of America, said.
“I am deeply disappointed by the silence of PPP stalwarts over this dastardly attack on the free press by their feudal leadership,” PML-N’s US Coordinator Raja Yaqub said.
“We at Global Forum TV pledge our full support to Dr. Shahid Masood,” GTV’ National Coordinator Saleem Akhtar stated. “We will deploy all technical, social, legal, and moral means to help defeat this ban.”
PANA is planning US-wide teach-in, rallies, and vigils in solidarity with Geo and Dr. Shahid Masood. For more information contact:
Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Toor | matoormd@gmail.com | 815 – 353 – 5039
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