KARACHI: A group of Sindhi nationalists attacked the central office of Pakistan’s largest media group, Geo News in Karachi and vandalized the reception area and harassed security staff.
The group’s publications include the largest circulating Urdu-language Jang newspaper and English-language The News International. It also owns the popular cable television channel Geo News.
The attack occurred when most of the staff of Geo TV were about to change their shifts.
“Strongly condemn attack on offices of Geo and Jang. The[y] vandalised the reception area and beat our cameraman and staff. Where is the government??” asked Geo Television Managing Director, Azhar Abbas in a tweet.
According to the reports, the attackers were venting their anger over the racial comments by Irshad Bhatti, against people of Sindh in an Urdu talk show of Geo Television called ‘Khabarnaak’.
Anchor Irshad Bhatti from show apologized and clarified that his show is one of comedy and satire and “Sindh and Sindhis are part of his identity as is any other province.”
Nasir Shah express solidarity
Talking to Geo News, Sindh Information Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, condemned the violence and promised an investigation into the incident.
He said everyone has a right to protest but no one has the right to harm anyone. “Action will be taken against whoever took the law into their hands.”
The Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah has also ordered “strict action” to be taken against all those found involved, said the information minister.
