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Pakistan blocks TV channel

From Syed Mohsin Naqvi
CNN

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LAHORE, Pakistan (CNN) -- The Pakistani government has blocked the transmission of the Geo News TV channel, a company official said Sunday.

GEO News Managing Director Nasir Baig Chugtai told CNN that viewers called the Geo office asking why the transmission of "Meray Mutabik," a popular prime-time show, was halted.

During the last few programs, the show's anchor, Shahid Masood, criticized the government for recent bans and threats to journalists.

None of several government officials contacted by CNN would discuss the issue.

Information Ministry sources said cable operators were told Sunday night to block GEO TV's transmission, based on high-level orders.

On Sunday morning in Lahore, cable operators had warned national and international broadcasters that their channels would be blocked if they aired anything critical of the the Pakistani government.

Political parties, civil societies and journalist organizations condemned the bans and demanded the government allow the country's news media to operate without restrictions.

The Pakistan Broadcasters Association reviewed the restrictions during a meeting Sunday, after which they called the curbs an attack on the fundamental, constitutional right of expression.

The meeting participants passed a resolution requesting the government to show respect for the freedom of expression as guaranteed in the Constitution.

On Sunday, government officials told CNN that journalist Noor Hakkem and four other people were killed Saturday in a roadside bomb blast in Bajaur agency, the Pakistani tribal area near the border with Pakistan.

Hakeem was a correspondent for Daily Pakistan and vice president of the Tribal Union of Journalists.

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