Blocked in Sindh areas

KARACHI: The telecast of ARY OneWorld is not being watched in parts of Sind province including Karachi on Monday morning.When contacted the government regarding any ban on the media, the government officials denied any reports in this connection.According to reports, the cable operators are behind the recent closure of broadcast of ARY OneWorld; however, they did not disclose any reason for their act.It should be mentioned here that exactly one year ago on November 17, 2007, the transmission of ARY OneWorld was shut down.Talking to ARY OneWorld, Sindh minister for information Shazia Mari said that PPP government has nothing to do with the closure of ARY OneWorld and will ensure that the telecast of the channel is restored.She said the PPP government firmly believes in the freedom of media, adding that media has, ever since its inception, faced various challenges from various quarters.The provincial information minister lauded the role of media in protesting and braving against the shackles put on it from time to time, adding that every person has right to freedom of expression in era of democratic government.Talking to ARY OneWorld, Federal Information Minister Sherry Rehman said the government has taken strict notice of the recent shutdown of ARY OneWorld and will take severe action against those found responsible for this. Sherry said the inquiry into the closure of broadcast has been ordered, adding that government is not involved in this act.PFUJ demanded the government to account for the telecast closure.Expressing his comments on this recent event of gagging the media, Supreme Court Bar Association President Ali Ahmed Kurd voiced great condemnation of the transmission closure.Various political leaders including Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif expressed sympathy with ARY OneWorld and condemned the blocking of ARY OneWorld telecast.Shahbaz said blocking the telecast of ARY OneWorld is tantamount to gag the media to wrest it of its right to freedom of expression.Jamaat Islami Chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed said barring the transmission is equivalent to gagging the media and restricting the freedom of expression, adding JI stronly condemns this closure.