Geo TV prints front-page apology to Pakistan army

The owners of Geo TV have printed a front-page apology to Pakistan’s army, ISI spy chief after allegations broadcast by Geo TV that they had plotted to assassinate one of the channel’s star journalists.

The apology in English was printed on the front page of The News and in Urdu in the group’s Daily Jang newspaper. It said its coverage of a gun attack in Karachi that seriously injured journalist Hamid Mir in April had been “excessive, distressful and emotional”. Geo Network apologised to the ISI chief and his family. It also insisted that it has “the greatest regard and respect for the armed forces of Pakistan and its leadership”.

Insiders believe that the military establishment will not be satifised with the apology alone. Calls have been made to close down the network over the furore.

Media regulator in Pakistan, PEMRA will decide on the army’s complaint against Geo Network on Wednesday.

In Picture: Geo Network apology to Pakistan’s ISI spy chief in Pakistani newspaper