Peeved at what it calls “false and scandalous reports” targeting the powerful ISI and its chief, Pakistan’s Defence Ministry has filed a complaint before the media watchdog seeking shutting down of Geo TV, the country’s leading news channel.
The controversy has erupted following the attempt on the life of Geo TV’s leading anchor Hamid Mir on Saturday in Karachi. Soon after the attack, Mir’s brother came on the channel alleging that “certain elements” in the spy agency and its chief, lt General Zaheerul Islam, orchestrated the attack, taking everyone by surprise.
The channel continued to play up the allegations but has off late distanced itself from it, saying the views were that of the family and what Mir had confided earlier. The complaint against the channel was filed before Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Tuesday evening by the Ministry of Defence. Reports said the Ministry officials were hesitant to file the complaint but had to give in due to pressure from the Army.