Pak cancels license of 3 TV channels for allegations against ISI

Islamabad: Pakistan’s media watchdog cancelled licenses of three television channels of the Geo TV Network for leveling allegations against the country’s spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The licenses of Geo News, Geo Tez and Geo Entertainment have been suspended until 28 May by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), said Mian Shams, a PEMRA member. The decision regarding the future of these channels will soon be taken by PEMRA. It was unanimously decided that the license for Geo News be cancelled, said Shams. [caption id=“attachment_153513” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Image used for representational purpose only. Reuters[/caption] The channels have been ordered to be taken off air and their offices will be sealed. Last month, Pakistan’s leading news anchor, Hamid Mir (Geo TV), narrowly escaped an assassination attempt. He had said that he faced threats from both non-state and state actors including the powerful spy agency, ISI. Following the attack on Mir, Jang group which owns Geo TV had said, “We also want to bring it on the record that the ISI has been continuously and strongly complaining to our senior editors against some of our senior journalists, particularly against Hamid Mir. We will prove this and many other things at the proper time.” PTI