Geo restored in some cities, others still waiting

 

LAHORE: In various cities of the country, cable operators have restored the Geo TV transmission though people have complained about shifting of different Geo channels to later numbers. Complaints about illegal suspension of Geo News transmission are also pouring in from various parts of the country.
In Khanqah Dogran, where people launched a severe protest against the suspension of Geo News transmission from time to time, the cable operators have restored it. However, people complained that Geo News has been put at 33 number on cable instead of its real position on 14.

Expressing their pleasure at the Geo News restoration, they demanded the cable operators to place their favourite channel at number 14 again. Punjab Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Culture Rana Muhammad Arshad regretted that Geo News transmission was suspended for 17 days and Geo Tez for 40 days in Shahkot. He called upon the cable operators to restore the Geo channels immediately. He said the Geo channels are the most favourite channels of the people and the Geo TV network played an unforgettable role in the restoration of democracy and movement for an independent judiciary in the country.

In Gojra, people have expressed their pleasure at the restoration of Geo News on its real position at cable network. However, in various cities, including Karachi, Lah

Pakistan waiting for new Indian govt to restart composite dialogue

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan says that it is looking ahead when the new government emerges in New Delhi and the suspended Composite Dialogue between the two countries can resume again so that all disputes are resolved leading to peace and greater economic development for both countries.

“We have a framework with India which has an eight point agenda. This process has been disrupted for the last three years. We believe that to have sustainable and durable peace, we need to address all the issues and disputes that stand between Pakistan and India having normal, good neighbourly relations and having peace and cooperation in the region. We look forward to the resumption of that process so that people of this region can benefit from economic cooperation and we can focus on our economic development”, spokesperson at the Foreign Office told the weekly media briefing.

As prime minister hopeful BJP’s Narendra Modi, acknowledged as a confirmed bachelor made waves in India on Thursday while acknowledging in his affidavit that he is married and has a wife, Pakistan meanwhile, refused to get drawn into speculations whether Modi would emerge as the new prime minister.

“Well, I am not in the business of reading minds. We deal with countries. It’s for the people of India to elect whoever they deem fit. We will take it from there”, said the spokesperson.

With the BJP while unfolding its new manifesto says it wants to do away with Article 370 of the Constitution (giving special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir) if it came to power, the spokesperson to a query said that “India’s constitution is India’s internal matter. We have a position on Jammu and Kashmir because Pakistan is a recognised and legitimate party to this dispute”.

Pakistan finally acknowledged that the Pakistan Navy is paying a friendly port call in Iran but made no mention of the fact that joint naval exercises are also on the agenda. The ISPR for reasons best known to the military establishment has shied away from acknowledging these naval exercises.

The spokesperson also avoided any comment on the Pak-Iran security Bill passed by Iranian parliament for better coordination on matters related to jointly dealing with border management and other security related problems.

However while commenting Pakistan-Iran relations, she pointed out that the recent tensions on the kidnapping of Iranian guards are only one aspect of bilateral ties.

“(Our relations) are not just about one issue. We have a multifaceted relationship and cooperation. There have been contacts in Islamabad as well as in Tehran regarding the proposed visit of the prime minister and discussions on some meetings that will precede that visit. So this relationship needs to be looked at in the broader context”, said the spokesperson.

To a query the spokesperson reiterated that talks had been held between the two sides over the kidnapped Iranian guards.

“Our authorities and security agencies confirmed that they have no indication that these guards were brought to Pakistan and also that there was absolutely no indication that they were released in Pakistan”, she said.

The government while complimenting the people of Afghanistan for daring to cast their votes despite security risks said that “the high voter turn-out was the clearest affirmation of the Afghan people’s resolve to chart their future course through democratic means.”

This augurs well for the prospects of democracy and peace in Afghanistan, and Pakistan’s consistent support for a free and fair electoral process is based on the belief that it is vital, both for a smooth political transition and for Afghanistan’s future stability, said the spokesperson.