Geo TV, Jang group apologise to ISI

Islamabad, May 27 (IANS) Geo TV network and Jang media group Monday tendered apology to Pakistan’s armed forces and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) for hurling allegations its chief Lt. Gen. Zaheerul Islam.

In an apology letter in its publications – English daily The News and Urdu daily Jang, the media group clarified that they hold respect for Pakistani forces and its leadership.

“We have always appreciated their sacrifices to safeguard our borders and the security of our country,” the Dawn quoted the letter of media organisations as saying.

Hamid Mir, a senior Geo TV journalist, had repeatedly held ISI or some elements within its ranks for orchestrating the attack on his life.

The media group also clarified that the allegations were not hurled by the institution but by Mir himself and later repeated by his brother soon after the attack on Mir in Karachi, the report said.

In his first media interaction after being shot, Mir had said he was being threatened to leave the country by the same elements whom he alleged were behind the attack.

“After serious retrospection, editorial debates, feedback and engagement with all parties, directly and indirectly, we have concluded that our coverage immediately after the tragic and unnerving attack on Mir April 19 was excessive, distressful and emotional,” Geo TV said in its apology letter.