Geo apologises for hate speech against Ahmadis in Amir Liaquat’s show!

[Norwegian]

Syed Arif Shah Owaisi, the guest cleric who termed Ahmadis as “enemy of Pakistan” on Geo - Screengrab
KARACHI: Following a nation-wide uproar against controversial anti-Ahmadi remarks made during religious host Amir Liaquat Hussain’s morning show, Geo on Tuesday apologised for the editorial lapse. A spokesperson for the media group admitted that the network’s code of conduct was violated in the December 22 show.

Gunmen in Gujranwala had shot dead a member of the Ahmadi religious minority on Saturday, five days after a cleric denounced the community on Liaquat’s show. Luqman Ahad Shehzad was shot in the back of the head near Bhiri Shah Rehman village – a small community of Ahmadis in the Gujranwala district.

There was no apparent direct link between the two incidents. However, local media and civil society assailed the TV channel and the host of the show for inciting extremism and violence against the often-targeted religious minority.

The Geo spokesperson issued a ‘clarification’ available online todaysaying that a comment made by a guest during the “Subh-e-Pakistan” morning show had violated the network’s code of conduct. The spokesperson added that “during live transmissions it is difficult to control crowds and guests who speak according to their mindset”.

The spokesperson further said the group apologised for any offensive content, and a committee had been formed to ensure the implementation of policy in the breach of conduct.

Syed Arif Shah Owaisi, the guest cleric had termed Ahmadis as “enemy of Pakistan” during the show.

“This enemy is a common enemy and is an enemy of all of Pakistan. And this enemy is the sect of Qadiyani,” Owaisi said, using a derogatory term for Ahmadis. “They are the ones blaspheming against the holy prophet (pbuh). All us Muslims should recognise that enemy.”

After Owaisi spoke, Liaquat responded by nodding his head in affirmation while the audience burst into applause. The guest cleric went on to use further derogatory language against the minority group for some minutes while the TV show host clapped in appreciation.

Other guests on the show agreed with Owaisi, who also claimed the Ahmadi community was connected to "yahoodis" (Jews).

Blasphemy is punishable by death in the country. Scores of people have been lynched after being accused of blasphemy.

Last week’s killing was the second time Amir Liaquat's show has hosted religious leaders denouncing Ahmadis. In 2008, he hosted scholars who called for the Ahmadis to be killed. Within a day, two prominent Ahmadis had been shot dead.

In today’s statement, the Geo spokesperson said that the network believes in tolerance and had always promoted harmony between different denominations and religions.

“Geo has always spoken out for the rights of minorities which have been provided in Islam and our constitution,” it was added.

The statement noted that Geo had itself been the victim of the misuse of religion, and several members of its team face threats.

Advocating Amir Liaquat’s case, the spokesperson said the TV celebrity had hosted programs on multi-faith dialogue and harmony, with religious communities and minorities having participated more than any other program in Pakistan's television history. It was not mentioned whether a member of the Ahmadi minority had ever appeared on Liaquat’s show.

“Dr Aamir is number one on the hit list of Taliban for his outspoken views against use of violence in Islam,” the statement added.

The spokesman said Geo’s policy is consistent with Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) laws and the code of conduct which prohibits inciting violence against any group including minorities in the name of Islam or any other cause.

The spokesperson said the network would fulfill all its legal obligations on the matter as the media regulator has already issued a notice to Geo.
Geo apologises for hate speech against Ahmadis in Amir Liaquat’s show - Pakistan - DAWN.COM

It must be the third time or more when this moronic TV channel apologized for airing religious bigotry and other kinds of hate speech at prime time with severe consequences!

@OrionHunter @venu309 @Not Sure @CHARGER @DRAY @Mike_Brando @utraash @TheFlyingPretzel @Pakistani Exile @sreekumar @Pakistani shaheens @Rashid Mahmood @ShowGun @Major Sam @Evil Flare @Jazzbot @Slav Defence

 

[Musafir117]

Stupid shameless cheap Liaqat did it second time, he is an exposed Tharki and a joke on the name of journalism.
GEO was and still in deep shxit coz of their foolish actions in pasts and hiring this clown for some plus is most stupid decision.

 

[TankMan]

For God's sake, these morons seriously have no shame. I personally disagree with Ahmadis from a religious point of view, but that doesn't make them 'enemies of Pakistan', that's just a load of Bull. The real enemies of Pakistan are these Mullahs themselves.

Other guests on the show agreed with Owaisi, who also claimed the Ahmadi community was connected to "yahoodis" (Jews).

Look, Jews are behind everything!!! :

 

[Norwegian]

For God's sake, these morons seriously have no shame. I personally disagree with Ahmadis from a religious point of view, but that doesn't make them 'enemies of Pakistan', that's just a load of Bull. The real enemies of Pakistan are these Mullahs themselves.

You are a very rational person, so you have naturally no problem with Ahmadis politically but their religious doctrines. Unlike @airmarshal, @Zarvan and others who have unmoved stand on the issue that Qadianis are not only non-Muslim, they must be declared as such by the state and thus excommunicated from other Muslim religious communities.

 

[psynic]

Can someone post a link to the speech?

 

[Green Arrow]

Good but why it has to be Geo and Dr Amir always in controversy.

 

[Pakistani E]

Will this apology bring back the dead? This is not first time Bemar Liqauat has done this stunt. There was uproar then but Geo allowed him to sprout his rubbish, knowing full well what this bemar insan was doing. In any other civilised country, Bemar Liquat would be in prison and Geo licenses suspended for repeatedly airing hate speech and call to murder. But then again Pakistan has ceased to be a civilised country, I'm not going to expect much.

You will never see Ahmadis shutting down cities or doing dharnas when an Ahmadi is killed, but just because we won't doesn't mean God will allow injustice after injustice.

 

[ghazi52]

For God's sake, these morons seriously have no shame. I personally disagree with Ahmadis from a religious point of view, but that doesn't make them 'enemies of Pakistan', that's just a load of Bull. The real enemies of Pakistan are these Mullahs themselves.

The real enemies of Pakistan are these Mullahs themselves.

 

[BetterPakistan]

GEO is the enemy of Pakistan. GEO ratings are coming down and In sha ALLAH one day this channel will be closed.

 

[Aamna Ali]

how hate mongers brainwash young minds in Pakistan

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

This is the SECOND time that this gay-looking faggot "Amir Liaqat" and his show are partially responsible for a murder of a Pakistani citizen.....look at his face. He looks like a girly dude, he talks like a faggot - and he already made an AZZ out of himself when he talked about "rape scenes" and other language on his so called religious tv show

people like him, and that bastard maulvi are the real problems of this country....them and their viewers who spend more attention on hate speeches rather than productive shit

GEO should have been banned in 2007....but still operating.

GEO is the enemy of Pakistan. GEO ratings are coming down and In sha ALLAH one day this channel will be closed.

if PEMRA had a spine they would have been shut down AGES ago

traitors

 

[BetterPakistan]

This is the SECOND time that this gay-looking faggot "Amir Liaqat" and his show are partially responsible for a murder of a Pakistani citizen.....look at his face. He looks like a girly dude, he talks like a faggot - and he already made an AZZ out of himself when he talked about "rape scenes" and other language on his so called religious tv show

people like him, and that bastard maulvi are the real problems of this country....them and their viewers who spend more attention on hate speeches rather than productive shit

GEO should have been banned in 2007....but still operating.



if PEMRA had a spine they would have been shut down AGES ago

traitors

Our government has handed over PEMRA to a retired Policemen so you can understand better what will happen to PEMRA. Geo has the support of government. PEMRA chairman should be change and Geo should be shut down and black faces in Geo should be trial.

 

[Sugarcane]

The Geo spokesperson issued a ‘clarification’ available online today

These mofos didn't bothered to apologies on air and did it over interweb where majority of Pakistanis will not see.


This chutiya molvie, fasadi alam and all like them should be executed and mullahs should be banned on kafar invention "TV"

 

[FaujHistorian]

Will this apology bring back the dead? This is not first time Bemar Liqauat has done this stunt. There was uproar then but Geo allowed him to sprout his rubbish, knowing full well what this bemar insan was doing. In any other civilised country, Bemar Liquat would be in prison and Geo licenses suspended for repeatedly airing hate speech and call to murder. But then again Pakistan has ceased to be a civilised country, I'm not going to expect much.

You will never see Ahmadis shutting down cities or doing dharnas when an Ahmadi is killed, but just because we won't doesn't mean God will allow injustice after injustice.

I strongly believe that GEO must be dragged into a London and EU courts because it broadcasts this $hit via satellite and Youtube.

Same should be done to any other news outlet with internet and satellite presence.

There is no other way to teach these mofo's lesson.,

There is no other way.

 

[karakoram]

can some body tell me a person who got killed was killed because of that show. or ahmedis as usual spitting there venom ? there are 100 people die every day in Pakistan why only one specific community want sympathy. any ansar barni has concrete proof about the murder was done after person hearing the same speech which Geo aired ? grow up yar. i am against execution murders of all Pakistanis regardless their religion ethnicity language culprit must be bring to justice and hanged in public if found guilty but ignoring all other Pakistanis murders and highlighting only one isn't it unfair ?