Dr Aamir Liaquat Hussain defects to Express News
In another major blow for troubled network, Geo TV, reports have emerged of Dr Aamir Liaquat Hussain leaving and joining rival Express News.
The news comes just days before Hussain was set to front Geo Tv’s popular Ramadan religious strand. However, BizAsia understands that he will move his Ramadan transmission to Express News, where it will be known as ‘Ramadan Pakistan’.
It is not yet clear if the scholar has stepped down from his role as Vice President at Geo Network. Hussain has been with Geo TV since 2002 before quitting in 2010 for ARY News. He then left the company to re-join Geo Network in 2012. He has since presented ‘Aalim Online’ and ‘Inaam Ghar’ on the network.
It will be interesting to see how Geo TV will rework on its Ramadan output. The network’s transmission is temporarily suspended after Pakistani media regulator, PEMRA found it in serious breach. It showed allegations on its news channel that the country�۪s spy agency, Inter Services Intelligence, had orchestrated the attack on journalist Hamid Mir in Karachi in April.
At the time of the troubles at Geo Network, Hussain was quoted saying, “���Mera or aap ka rishta kisi channel ka mohtaj nahi hai, Maa jahan b jaun aap ka or mera ye talluq qaim rehega.” (My relation with my viewers is not dependent on any particular channel, it�۪s your likeness, your love and will remain the same where ever I move.)
In the UK, Express News has a syndication deal with Prime TV. In the USA, Evolution handles the distribution of Express News.
Geo TV, Express News and Hussain are yet to officially announce any details on the move.
